Up to 270 new homes could be built at the southern edge of a Somerset town under new proposals.

Exeter-based developer Waddeton Park Ltd. has applied to build the new homes near The White Post Inn in Midsomer Norton.

The developer argues the development would provide much-needed housing in the area, as well as improvements to the local road network near the town’s rugby club and a new primary school.

The site lies on the border between the Mendip district and the Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) unitary area, and is identified within the former’s Local Plan for at least 250 homes.

A speculative inquiry into the site – known as an environmental impact assessment – was submitted to Mendip District Council in February, to gauge the affect of building between 250 and 300 homes on the land.

If approved, the new homes will be sandwiched between the B3335 Silver Street and the A367 Green Park Road, with the main access being from the latter.

A secondary access will be created to the north-west, linking up with Silver Street via a separate development of 45 homes (approved by BANES in June) with improvements being made to Silver Street to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Of the 250 homes planned for the site, 81 will be affordable – meeting Mendip’s target of 30 per cent of new homes being affordable within any major new housing development.

The homes will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, with none of the properties being more than two storeys high.

A spokesman for Tetlow King Planning (representing the developer) said the development would compliment BANES’ planned housing delivery in this part of Midsomer Norton.

The spokesman said: “Development of the land at White Post will contribute positively towards the remodelling of the locality and importantly provide much-needed housing – improving the critical mass of dwellings in support of local services.

“The proposed development will be complementary to recent development at Beecham Place, the new three-form entry primary school on Silver Street, enhancements to the local highway network, pedestrian and cycle connectivity in the area, and proposals for housing and a care home on land east of Silver Street.

“The proposed development will deliver a well-considered residential environment, providing a broad range of housing types and publicly accessible open space that will be an asset for the wider community.”

Mendip District Council is expected to make a decision on the outline plans before Christmas.