PLANS have finally been approved to turn the derelict Federal Mogul factory site in Bridgwater into homes.

Previous applications for a housing development on the site at Colley Lane have been rejected, but last Tuesday, Sedgemoor District Council's development control committee approved plans for a 126-home development, with industrial units.

Concern was raised at the meeting that the new development would back on to a well-established recycling centre, Johnson's Metals.

Lisa Johnson, from Johnson's Metals, said she was concerned there would be complaints from people living on the proposed development about noise coming from her plant.

Cllr Julian Taylor, who said he was in favour of the plans, admitted noise was a concern.

He said: “We don't want to have a situation where the site abuts an industrial site and we have got complaints about noise.”

However, the meeting also heard fencing between the recycling plant and the homes, and two-storey industrial units, would help limit the noise heard by the new homeowners.

Cllr Dave Loveridge said: “I have sympathy with Johnson's Metals and local residents, but I find myself supporting it hesitantly.”

As part of the conditions of granting planning permission, the developer will have to ensure 13 of the new homes are classed as affordable, or will have to contribute £590,000 towards social housing elsewhere in the district.