RESIDENTS will have to wait a bit longer to find out if 180 new homes will soon be built in their neighbourhood.

Somerset West and Taunton Council met for its first planning meeting today (May 30), and hit the ground running by going against officer recommendations for the first application.

Dozens of residents turned out to voice their objections to the plans, with many claiming little consultation had taken place.

The plan in question was from Gladman Development, a land promoter which had applied for permission to build up to 180 homes on land near Pyrland Farm, off Cheddon Road. The application was recommended for approval by planning officers, but instead the committee unanimously agreed to defer making a decision.

Only a portion of the site has been allocated by the council as land ripe for development, in a document known as the Site Allocations and Development Management Plan, which the council set out would be appropriate for 45 homes.

Despite this, planning officer John Burton said he saw 'no reason' why the plan should not be approved, as it met all relevant criteria.

The plans are put against seven tests, which look into issues such as national policy, the character of the development, and the scale of developments.

But councillors felt the scale of the site was not satisfactory, as the site was only meant to have 45 homes. There also disagreed with a number of the other 'tests' which Mr Burton felt had been passed.

Martyn Twigg, from Gladman, reassured the committee there would be 25 per cent affordable housing, and said issues to do with access would arise even in the case of 45 new homes.

Members from Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council attended the meeting to stress the importance of complying with the neighbourhood plan, but it was noted much of what would be of concern to the neighbourhood plan would not be finalised in the reserved matters application.

Cllr Libby Lisgo, who represents Priorswood, also attended the meeting, and voiced concern over the timing of the meeting, meaning many residents who would have liked to express their views were unable to do so. She said: "I learnt a long time ago decisions made by the planning committee are not common sense. There are about administering planning policy, and that does not always reflect common sense. This application is a perfect example of that.

"It's the size and scale that has really got to people in the area."

Cllr Ligo added that although Cheddon Fitzpaine was consulted, the other surrounding area is not represented by a parish council.

She said considering the other developments taking place in the area, and the traffic issues it could cause, this application based on Cheddon Road would be 'nothing short of catastrophic'.

Other councillor also voiced their concerns for the development taking place on that road, which they described as a 'country lane'.

Given the unanimous concern for the application, the committee decided to defer it to allow more information to be gathered.

Cllr Simon Coles, who was elected chairman of the committee, with Roger Habgood as vice, said: "There are a number of questions raised that haven't been answered.

"I am going to suggest we defer until there is more consultation."