A DECADE-LONG campaign to get affordable homes built in a village near Bridgwater could help the community keep its school, supporters say.

The plan for six new homes for Othery has finally been lodged after years spent trying to find a suitable site and a landowner who would let their land be used.

The plans have been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council by Southwestern Housing Society for former agricultural land north of the A372 New Road.

It is believed that bringing new families into the village will help keep pupil numbers up at the school, which at the start of the school year had just 41 on the roll.

This number has fallen sharply in recent years gone down from 64 registered in 1999.

Clerk to Othery Parish Council John Swayne said: “Burrowbridge lost its school and we are aware that ours is small and could be at risk in the future.

We also have a bakery, post office and shop and to keep these facilities we need affordable homes for young people with a connection to the village to live.

“The community has been surveyed on this and the answer was that yes this is very much needed for the future of the village.

“There are a few problems with this site, for instance the pavement is a bit narrower than what is recommended for people to walk on.

However he added that the council is “hopeful” that the plans will be acceptable to the people of the community.