NEW designs for more than 200 homes on Chard’s southern border have been submitted by planning developers Persimmon.

The bid, which form part of the Chard Eastern Development Area, is for land off Holbear and includes 263 homes.

Persimmon originally applied to build 335 houses between Tatworth Road and Forton Road, but faced strong opposition from Chard residents and the town council, before the plans were ultimately rejected by the district council.

The plans were later amended to include 323 homes, but still failed to satisfy councillors and the public.

If approved, the new build would see an access roundabout built on A358 Tatworth Road.

The main road through the site will also form a part of the link road, designed to take traffic away from the town centre.

In the new 263 home bid, a Persimmon spokesman said: “The planning application submitted to the council seeks full planning permission for a total of 263 new homes, comprising a mix of dwelling types, sizes and tenures with 35 per cent being affordable homes.

“Most of the houses will be two-storey with some two and a half storey properties.”

Persimmon’s big also includes open public space and a ‘local equipped area for play’.

The plans also say that the new main road will likely have a 30mph speed limit. They will not be linked to B3162 Forton Road until after the next stage of the eastern relief road is built.

The applicant added: “The first completions could occur within 2020/21, with the full balance of the site being delivered within approximately 24 to 36 months.”

Persimmon’s first application for the site came in July 2016, and the first amended was submitted in April 2017.

The agent added: “The revised scheme has been amended to take into consideration comments received during the consultation period of the previous application at the site.

“The applicant undertook further engagement with the Local Planning Authority in February 2019 to discuss key points including the pedestrian/cycle link, drainage and flooding, layout, the relief road and landscaping.”

To view the plans and comment, visit southsomerset.gov.uk with the planning reference 16/02874/FUL.