CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 47 homes at a Highbridge beauty spot have been refused following more than 120 complaints from residents.

Developer, Flower & Hayes, is seeking planning permission to build a 14 two bed, 30 three bed and three four bedroom homes and 128 parking spaces on land to the north of Walrow Road in Highbridge.

More than 120 people submitted objections against the scheme and a group of 25 protestors stood outside the site on Walrow Road earlier this month in a bid to halt the plans as they had concerns the site was being overdeveloped, there is insufficient infrastructure to cope with the new homes and the development would result in damage to ecology and a loss of green space.

Burnham and Highbridge Town Council also objected to the plans and cited highway access, over development, flood risk and wildlife impact as their reasons for objecting.

At a meeting of Sedgemoor District Council's development committee on Tuesday (March 20) councillors voted to reject the plans on the grounds of design, relationship with the elevated highway and proposed access.

The committee previously deferred the application for a site visit to assess its access and suitability for the proposal.

Joy Russell, a resident who protested against the plans, said she is thrilled the council's development committee refused the plans.

She said: "On behalf of all the 'Walrow Warriors' we would like to thank our community and local councillors for all their support over the last year.

"At the Sedgemoor District Council planning committee meeting the planning application was well and truly rejected on the grounds of design, relationship with the elevated highway and proposed access.

"My jubilation is measured by the deep rooted sadness of losing all the beautiful trees and a feeling of unease that our work isn't over yet as there maybe an appeal to the decision in the future."