A major new housing development on the edge of Cotford St Luke is preparing to welcome its first buyers, with developer Lovell Homes launching a dedicated website ahead of the official sales launch.

The Oaks at St Luke, a £25 million development off Dene Road, will bring 80 new homes to the village, including 60 homes for private sale and 20 affordable properties. The first homes are expected to be released to the market in the coming weeks, with prospective buyers now able to register their interest through a new development-specific website.

The site has been designed to appeal to a broad range of purchasers, from first-time buyers to growing families and those looking to downsize. The development will feature a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Lovell says the homes will form part of one of the region's most sustainable new neighbourhoods. Every property will be gas-free and heated by air source heat pumps, while the scheme also includes public open space, allotments, children's play areas, footpaths and cycleways intended to be shared by both new and existing residents.

The launch of the dedicated website marks the latest stage in a project that has been several years in the making. Construction work began after Somerset Council granted reserved matters approval last year, paving the way for the development to move from planning into delivery.

As well as showcasing computer-generated images of the homes, the website provides floorplans, details of the different house types and information about the village itself, encouraging prospective buyers to sign up for updates before the official sales launch.

James Duffett, regional managing director for Lovell, said the development had been designed to create a new community while complementing the existing village.

He said The Oaks at St Luke would offer homes for people at different stages of life, with a focus on sustainability and high-quality public spaces.

The scheme is expected to help meet continuing demand for new housing in the Wellington and Taunton commuter belt, where the availability of family homes has remained under pressure. Cotford St Luke, around five miles north-west of Taunton, has grown significantly over the past two decades while retaining its village character and access to surrounding countryside.

The development is also intended to deliver at least a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain, with landscaping and habitat improvements incorporated into the masterplan.

With interest now being invited through the new website, the opening of the sales operation will mark the first opportunity for buyers to reserve homes at what is set to become one of west Somerset's most significant new residential developments.

As part of its marketing and community engagement campaign, Lovell has also been publishing its own newsletter, The Cotford Chronicle, aimed at existing residents. The publication carries updates on construction, explains the planning process and highlights the environmental and community benefits the company says the development will bring.