NEW homes will be built on the Langport Trial Ground in Huish Episcopi – despite their appearance being branded “a disgrace” by one councillor.

Persimmon Homes South West put forward a proposal for 80 homes on the site, which lies at the corner of the A372 Field Road and the B3153 Somerton Road.

South Somerset District Council’s area north committee threw the plans out in late-June, citing the design of the proposed homes and worried about the access arrangements.

Now the council’s regulation committee has overturned the decision by a narrow margin – much to the chagrin of local residents.

The regulation committee is convened when councillors go against their planning officers’ recommendations regarding developments of ten or more dwellings.

The committee, which is made up of representatives from all part of the district, met in Yeovil on Tuesday morning (July 17) to discuss the plans.

Creole Palmer from Huish Episcopi Parish Council said that the village had already taken more homes than the minimum level laid out in the district council’s Local Plan.

She said: “We currently exceed our Local Plan minimum by 127 per cent. We are over-burdened with new housing and the speed of development is placing a strain on our community.”

Neighbouring resident Rosie Till said that the official highways assessment – undertaken by Somerset County Council – had not taken into account the impact of the new homes on existing residents.

She said: “As the application stands, it will effectively trap my disabled husband in his home.”

Cara Naden from Transition Langport argued for retaining the beech hedge on ecological grounds, arguing that it went against seven of the council’s own policies on the environment.

An online petition to save the hedge which Ms Naden organised has been signed by more than 400 people.

She said: “This is one of the last wildlife corridors in the area, following over-development in recent years. We must think about the legacy which we are leaving for the next generation.”

Suzanna Knowles, representing Persimmon, said that changes had been made to the parking on-site to improve the estate’s appearance.

Councillor Clare Paul, who represents the Langport and Huish ward, argued that the plans should be refused to encourage the developer to resolve outstanding issues.

She said: “We can take a stance to address the fact that we all know these estate roads have issues with the volume of cars – and we can argue for the retention of the beech hedge in some form, as a lasting legacy.

“I firmly believe a refusal will bring about a final address of outstanding matters, and lead to them coming back with a scheme which enhances this.

“Let’s be quite clear: nobody wants this in its current format. No-one is arguing against policy, but we have a duty of responsibility towards our electorate.”

Numerous councillors were strident in their criticism of Persimmon’s designs.

Councillor Nick Weeks said: “The houses that are proposed for this site are a disgrace – they look terrible. I’m sure I could have done a better job, and I can’t draw.”

Councillor Colin Winder went further, quipping: “To say that these buildings are within the local vernacular design is a load of crap, frankly.

“I can’t accept this layout at all – it’s very poor, and we’re going backwards, not forwards.”

Councillor Dean Ruddle added: “Design is important because this is the entrance to Huish Episcopi and Langport. This is not some part of an area near a trading estate – it does make a difference.”

Others, however, saw little reason for refusing the plans despite sharing concerns over the design and appearance of the houses.

Councillor Angie Singleton admitted that Persimmon “haven’t got a good reputation for design” but said that this would be off-set by a green buffer at the northern end of the site.

She also argued that retaining the beech hedge could result in the houses being built closer together, stating: “To make the density of the houses even greater would have a detrimental impact. We are on a sticky wicket here.”

Councillor Mike Lock added: “I can’t see too much wrong with this. I’d like to see a bit more tree planting, but we are crying out for houses. I’d like to see a better developer than Persimmon, but I’ll go along with our officers.”

Following nearly an hour and a half of deliberation, the committee voted by a margin of seven to six to approve the plans.