WORK is starting on a controversial new housing estate on the edge of Wiveliscombe – more than six years after it was first given planning permission.
Lovell Homes took over the site off Burges Lane after Lone Star Property won planning consent during the 2020 Covid lockdown.
Now, construction is beginning on the 71 homes, which include a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses and bungalows, 18 of them ‘affordable’.
There will also be a T-junction created where Burges Lane meets Luxton Road, and new allotments provided in one corner of the site.
A show home is set to open on the new Heathstock Rise housing estate in Wiveliscombe early in June. (Lovell Homes)
Lovell regional manager Ross Field said: “Heathstock Rise is a dream location for keen nature-lovers, countryside walks, and family days out.
“For those who want to experience the sea air, Wiveliscombe is also only a 30-minute drive to the Somerset coastline where you can enjoy stunning beaches and seaside resorts including Watchet, Minehead, and Burnham-on-Sea.
“Inspired style, unrivalled quality, and exceptional value is at the heart of every one of our developments at Lovell.
“We are committed to bringing the highest quality homes in the South West region and creating energy-efficient, low maintenance homes made from materials that are made to stand the test of time and feel individual to the buyer.”
Mr Field said the estate’s show home was set to open early next month, allowing prospective buyers to buy off-plan and reserve their plot in what he said was a ‘highly anticipated community’.
Bungalows are in the mix for a new housing estate being built in Wiveliscombe. (Lovell Homes)
Prices started from £275,000, and the development was expected to be in high demand.
Mr Field said Wiveliscombe was ‘a picturesque former clothmaking town’ offering residents the best of countryside living while remaining within easy reach of a vibrant high street.
He said it boasted ‘an array of Victorian-fronted independent shops, restaurants, leisure facilities, and well-regarded primary and secondary schools’, alongside a rich cultural heritage and strong community spirit.