A MAJOR housing development near High Street would add to the strain on North Petherton’s roads and school places, a councillor has claimed.

North Petherton Town Council is holding an extraordinary planning meeting on Monday, to discuss West of England Developments’ bid for 48 homes on land just off High Street.

The Mercury reported last week how the firm had withdrawn a previous application for 65 homes on the same area of land, earlier this year.

In a letter sent to Sedgemoor District Council’s planning committee, which will have the final say on the scheme, North Petherton councillor John Swayne says: “Very little has changed since the last application and my objections remain the same.

“High Street is not suitable to take at least 96 extra cars so, on traffic issues alone, I object.

“The road structure all around that area is too narrow for the existing traffic so to put extra traffic will cause problems.”

Cllr Swayne said the new homes could bring in more than 100 children to the area.

He added: “At present, even with the proposed extension of North Petherton Primary School, there are not enough places.

“I also think that, even with the changes, this is over development.”

Resident Jennifer Sturges, of North Street, added in another letter to the council: “I object to this proposed development on multiple grounds.

“Infastructure will not cope with more houses.”

West of England Developments says the 48 homes will include 20 classed as affordable – helping to meet a need for cheaper housing in the district.

It has also included as part of its application the results of a survey carried out in November 2012 into housing needs in North Petherton, in which 91% of people said there was a lack of suitable housing in the town to meet their needs.

Monday’s meeting will take place at 7.30pm, in North Petherton Community Centre.

Sedgemoor District Council will not decide on the application until January at the earliest.