WITH all eyes on the property scene in Bridgwater as the town faces the prospect of helping to accommodate thousands of construction workers from Hinkley Point, the Mercury has asked local estate agents for their views on the current market.

Richard Curtis, director at Holland and Curtis, said: “The lettings side is phenomenal and with residential sales, although people are cautious, properties are still selling.

“Although there’s a lot of negativity around the economy, the housing market is steady.

“It’s a really exciting time for residents of Bridgwater because at long last we have jobs coming back, which will put money in people’s pockets.”

Simon Evans, director at Gibbins Richards, said: “We have done quite significantly better in exchanges this year compared to the first six months of last year.

“In Bridgwater there’s a lot of employment coming in and landlords are buying up properties.

“That’s down to Morrisons and the expectations for Hinkley Point.”

Paul Charles, partner at Charles Dickens, said: “We’ve had a very busy couple of weeks. Prices are getting more competitive which is helping. With the economy as it is, though, you never know what’s around the corner.”

Andrew Lees, of Andrew Lees Lettings, said: “We are getting a greater variety of properties, for example more cottages, which is quite positive, and more properties in the villages around Bridgwater.

“This year a lot of people are letting out their properties.”

Amanda Cutts, administrator at Beacon, Lee and Ward, said: “Things are going quite well. We are getting a lot of interest. We’ve just had one two bedroom house in Bridgwater go under offer, which we could have sold six times over. We have been busy since the Jubilee weekend and we could do with more properties in Bridgwater.”

Justin Harris, manager of Chanin and Thomas at Nether Stowey and Williton, said: “The majority of our work is people relocating to the area for a better quality of life, with at least 50-60% coming from the South-East. The housing market in the South-East is moving which is having a positive effect on us.”

Anne Sweet, sales negotiator at Tamlyns, said: “Unpredictable is the key word really. It has been going in lulls and troughs but generally we are feeling quite upbeat.”

Nick Puddy, of Saxons, said: “The market has been pretty odd of late. The phones have been pretty quiet but we have agreed 31 house sales in the last two months.

“Activity seems to be increasing day by day, albeit slowly and we are excited about what the future holds for us.”

Gilles Irwin, sales manager at Dillon May, said: “We are running out of properties to sell.

“There are buyers there and it is still a buyer’s market. If you overvalue your property the market will stagnate.”

Steve Able, of Northwoods, said: “Since Morrisons came to the M5 the town has been struggling to cope with the demand. We have simply been running out of two and three-bedroom houses because they are being snapped up by people moving into town for jobs.”