WORK to transform a former quarry to provide much needed new homes in Bleadon will soon be underway.

Edenstone Group recently acquired the eight acre site on Bridge Road from Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer.

At that time the land benefited from outline planning permission and soon after acquiring the site the homebuilder submitted a reserved matters application detailing its proposals. North Somerset Council recently approved those plans. Edenstone worked closely with Bristol-based Grassroots Planning to secure the reserved matters consent.

Edenstone Group planning director Katie Peters said: “The Bleadon site was our second land acquisition in Somerset. The team worked hard to design a scheme that would transform the redundant site to provide much needed new homes. We’ll be building a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, with around a third of the development designated as affordable housing, to support the creation of an inclusive community. The development will also create employment opportunities as there’s office/ retail space included within the plans.

“Demolition and remediation work will soon commence, which we expect to take a few months. Construction will follow in late summer/ autumn.”

Edenstone will provide 29 private sale properties and 13 affordable homes in Bleadon.

It’s anticipated that the first homes at the development will be released for sale in early 2024. The scheme is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.

Edenstone will make a series of section 106 contributions to support the growth of the neighbourhood. These include upgrades to the network of safe routes to school, plus almost £28,000 to maintain these routes; almost £30,000 towards the installation of two new bus shelters on Bridge Road; ore than £5,000 for sustainable transport; £4,500 for fire hydrants and almost £3,000 towards footpath improvements.

There will also be a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contribution.

Alongside new homes and commercial space, Edenstone will also create homes for nature in Bleadon by enhancing the biodiversity of the site.

“A green entrance square and tree-lined main street will create a green gateway to the development,” Katie added.

“There will be green open space for community events, cycle storage, a community orchard and pond. We’ll also provide a children’s play area for younger residents to enjoy.”

Electric vehicle charging facilities will also be provided.