CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 121 homes on 'the last green lung of Highbridge' have been given a unanimous thumbs down by town councillors after opposition from residents.

Coln Developments is seeking planning permission to build 121 homes, a play area and a fitness trail on land between Lakeside and Isleport.

The land is currently owned by five parties including Sedgemoor District Council and if plans are eventually approved the developer says 30 per cent of the houses will be rent to buy.

At a planning committee meeting on Monday (September 17) Linda Greenland spoke to Burnham and Highbridge town councillors on behalf of Lakeside residents who have been protesting the plans for the last few months and urged them to object to the plans.

"Residents strongly object to the last green lung of Highbridge being lost," Mrs Greenland said.

"The Lakeside access road which links onto the A38 will be the only access in and out, it is an accident waiting to happen.

"121 extra cars will be using this entrance and it will be the cause of more accidents."

Mrs Greenland said there are 26 sites available around the Highbridge area for development and said she has fears the development would 'destroy' wildlife living there.

Sedgemoor District councillor Roger Keen echoed Mrs Greenland's comments and said if built the development would potentially a ruin wildlife habitat.

"The site was always meant to be an open space for the public but it is now overgrown as nothing has been done with it and as a result it has become a haven for wildlife," Cllr Keen said.

"35 species of wildlife currently live in that field at Lakeside, five of those are on the endangered red list and another five are breeding.

"If it is built on their home would be destroyed."

Councillor Andy Brewer, chairman of the planning committee, said 94 objections had been submitted against the plans and the council has taken the plans 'very seriously' as a result.

Councillor Peter Clayton, said: "I was involved with this site many years ago and my main concern then was access as it is a very narrow road.

"The access to the site is unacceptable as it stands and with 121 vehicles adding to it would be ridiculous.

"Highway access is my biggest concern. It is an overdevelopment of the site.

"Losing open space as it stands is unacceptable as there is wildlife in that area.

"I strongly object to this application."

Councillor Louise Parkin echoed Cllr Clayton's comments and asked Cllr Brewer to 'insist' measurements and images are taken of the lakes at the site so there is an assurance they cannot be filled in.

She also has concerns about the location of the proposed children's play area and has fears the roads in and out of Lakeside are not equipped to cope with extra traffic.

"I am very worried about the rhyne being next to the children's play area, it doesn't make sense whatsoever," Cllr Parkin said.

"The original roads into Lakeside are too small to take 121 extra cars which would come from this development.

"The A38 junction would become very frightening, it would be an accident waiting to happen."

In a report which was sent to councillors ahead of the meeting, Cllr Phil Harvey, said policies protecting the land 'should not be overruled' and urged councillors to object to the plans.

"The public open space involved in this application is an area of accessible natural green space which is important to the locality," Cllr Harvey said.

"Although presently under-used as access has been deliberately restricted there is potential to bring it into wider use.

"The area is deficient in this type of green space. This application, and any others to build on this land, should be refused."

Councillors unanimously voted to object to the plans but the final decision will rest with Sedgemoor District Council.