A PUBLIC Inquiry into whether 140 homes on land off Newton Road in North Petherton will be given the green light opened today (Tuesday, March 20).

The application was originally turned down due to concerns over the development being outside the settlement boundary, flooding, highways and archaeology.

However developer Gladman Developments is appealing the decision and the final judgement will be down to planning inspector Philip Ware.

At the start of the hearing, being held at The Venue at J24, it was established that the two parties had agreed a compromise to three of the four issues meaning the bulk of the hearing would come down to whether the application adequately conformed with planning policy.

In his opening statement, Gladman Homes representative Jonathan Easton said: "The concern is that this is outside the settlement boundary, but the council has not come up with a sole shred of evidence that this application will do any harm to the objectives set out in its planning policy.

"We believe this application will be sustainable. It is close to the town's facilities - it is only considered countryside in that is just outside the settlement boundary."

Mr Easton said the application would bring in economically active tenants who would help boost the town's economy.

He also said Sedgemoor District Council was below its targets for delivering affordable housing and approving the application would bring a significant community benefit.

Gavin Collett, representing SDC said the council would be arguing that developments outside the settlement boundary could only be granted under exceptional cirumstances and this application did not meet the criteria.

"The applicant cannot cherry pick evidence he wants from council policy and ignore other parts from it," Mr Collett said.

"If the applicant is unhappy with the policy that should be brought up as part of the council's annual review process - not adhoc through the appeals process."

The application received numerous objections from residents at the original planning stage.

The inquiry will run between 10am and 5pm tomorrow and Thursday and may run into Tuesday next week.

To view the application go to Sedgemoor District Council's website and search for the application 37/17/00052 on the planning section.