A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 46 new homes in Highbridge will go before Sedgemoor District Council's Development Committee next week.

Developers Flower & Hayes want to build 46 homes on land to the north of Walrow Road in Highbridge, but the plans have been met with significant objections by Burnham & Highbridge Town Council.

Flower & Hays submitted a similar application last year, but was rejected in March 2019 with the Development Committee stating that the proposals constituted 'inappropriate development' that would 'be out of keeping with the character of the surrounding area'.

The developers appealed this decision and the proposals went before a planning inspector, who dismissed the appeal - highlighting that some of the designs were out of character with the surrounding area including the design of the windows and roofs.

The inspector also rejected the appeal due to concerns that one home - unit 13 - created 'unacceptable living conditions' due to the location of windows 'conflicting with the elevated access'.

The resubmitted application now has different roof coverings and windows more in keeping with the surrounding area, and unit 13 has been changed to a first floor studio apartment

Burnham and Highbridge Town Council continue to object to development, citing concerns over the 'inadequate access', 'overdevelopment of the site', 'insufficient flood mitigation' and the impact on wildlife.

A huge number letters were submitted to the council, both in support and against the proposals, demonstrating the strength of feeling the plans have provoked in Highbridge.

There were 100 individual objection letters, and 84 objections in a standardised format, 22 individual letters of support and 101 in a standardised format.

The proposals will now go back before Sedgemoor District Council's Development Committee at its next meeting, due to be held on Tuesday, June 2.

In their report ahead of the meeting, the planning officers consider that the amendments to the plan do overcome the issues raised by the planning inspector during the appeal, and therefore the homes are recommended for approval.