Concern over plans for 65 homes in North Petherton (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Concern over plans for 65 homes in North Petherton

8:00am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in News By Matthew Colledge

A STORM of protest is brewing over a large housing development proposed for North Petherton.

Taunton-based West of England Developments wants to build 65 homes on fields off Shovel Lane.

The project would include 41 four-bed market homes, 24 social houses, ranging from one to four-bed, and 174 car spaces.

Anne Fraser, district councillor, has written to object to the development, arguing it will create problems on nearby roads and an extra strain on the village primary school.

She said: “The school is under pressure to take children from that development and is speaking of requiring temporary classrooms.”

She adds: “The proposed development will put additional pressure on the locality which is undesirable.”

Linda Adams, of Cliff Road, wrote to Sedgemoor District Council to point out existing problems in Tappers Lane and Watery Lane, because of the number of parked cars.

She wrote: “I object to this proposed development as I feel it will make negotiating these access roads even more difficult.”

The Mercury understands a meeting of concerned residents has taken place this weekend.

However, West of England Developments says it has done its best to allay their concerns.

Peter Smith Design Service, the agents for West of England Developments, said in a planning statement: “A single vehicular and pedestrian access from Shovel Lane is proposed.

“The overall proposal includes off site highway works to be funded from the development to overcome any adverse effect of additional traffic from the proposed development and also to improve the local highway network in order to address and improve existing concerns.

“These have evolved through lengthy discussion and very detailed negotiations with the highway authority and are believed to be acceptable to meet all highway issues.”

The statement also says the development has been designed to “minimise visual impact” and “respect the form and character of the adjacent properties.”