More than 100 additional homes could be built on the western edge of Wells under plans teased by a major land promoter.

The western edge of Somerset's smallest city has seen significant interest from housing developers in recent years, with several sites securing planning permission and being built out.

Gleeson Land Ltd. secured outline planning approval on appeal in August 2024 to build up to 50 new homes on the New House Farm site, located off the A371 Portway south of the Wells Touring Park.

The Fleet-based promoter has now published initial details of another planned housing development to the west of the touring park, which would see 116 new houses built on the north side of the B3139 Wookey Road.

The initial plans (known as a screening option request) envision the new dwellings being built between the touring park and the main road, with a green buffer at the western edge near the River Axe.

The site was not allocated within either part of the Mendip Local Plan, but the promoter has argued that "the changing context of the area" in light of other developments made it an appropriate site for new housing.

In addition to the New House Farm site, Somerset Council approved plans for 47 homes on the B3139 Elm Close in January – with a decision pending on revised plans for 100 homes immediately to the east.

A spokesman for Armstrong Rigg Planning (representing the promoter) said the homes were an appropriate response to "the continued deterioration in housing delivery" across the former Mendip area, coupled with delays in creating the new Somerset Local Plan (which may not be in place until mid-2029).

The spokesman added: "The site extends to 9.4 hectares and currently comprises three agricultural fields separated by trees and hedgerows running north-south through the site.

"The site is bounded to the west and north-west by open farmland and the River Axe and to the north by land proposed in the Local Plan Part II for the relocation of Wells Rugby Club.

"It is located in an area of growth with undeveloped land between it and the existing built edge of Wells now having planning permission (or a resolution to grant) for housing development."

Of the 116 homes planned for the site, 40 per cent will be affordable (the equivalent of 46 properties), with the homes ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses.

In addition to a new access onto Wookey Road, the development would enhance an existing public right of way running across the western part of the site, and would connect up to other planned walking and cycling links on and around the B3139.

The site would also include a children's play area and public open space, with existing trees and hedgerows being retained wherever feasible.

Somerset Council is expected to make an initial ruling on the screening request in the coming weeks – after which outline plans will be submitted and go out to wider public consultation.