A new 139-home development in Watchet will bring a wide range of community benefits, including affordable homes, green spaces, and over £750,000 in local investment, homebuilder Edenstone has announced.

Work is set to begin shortly at Underwood Gardens, located on land south of Doniford Road and Normandy Avenue, following reserved matters approval from Somerset Council in June last year.

Chris Edge, operations director at Edenstone, said: "We've been working hard behind the scenes since our plans were approved and are now gearing up to start work on 139 new homes at Underwood Gardens in Watchet. Addressing local housing need, affordable housing will account for 35% of the development. There'll be lots of open space for residents to enjoy as we'll be creating two village greens, a hilltop park with play area, community orchard and seating areas looking towards the Quantock Hills and the Severn Estuary."

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In addition to public open space, Edenstone will contribute more than £750,000 in community funding. Most of the money will go towards pre-school and primary education to support the area’s growing population, along with funds earmarked for travel plans.

The affordable housing will include one- and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom coach houses, and two- to four-bedroom family homes. These will be available through a registered social landlord for both intermediate and social rent.

The development will also offer a wide mix of private sale homes, including 20 bungalows, making up more than a fifth of the private homes—two- to four-bedroom houses, and several properties equipped with electric vehicle charging points.

Chris Edge added: "Bungalows are the rarest of new builds but will account for more than a fifth of our private sale properties in Watchet. The bungalows will be among the homes that will overlook the new hilltop park and existing woodland. This area will be carefully managed to protect and enhance its biodiversity and ecology, while giving the development a rural or garden suburb feel."

Designed with sensitivity to the character of the local area, the new homes will reference Watchet's traditional materials and architectural style. A stone dressed hedge bank will mark the entrance, reflecting the area's rural identity, while tree-lined streets and green corridors will weave through the development, creating a connected network of green spaces.

Edenstone expects to release the first homes for off-plan sales this winter, with a show home opening in early 2026.

Underwood Gardens will be Edenstone's second development in Somerset, following the success of Eden’s Green in Bleadon. The company has additional Somerset sites in East Brent and West Huntspill set to launch later this year.