FURTHER details of a controversial development of 110 family homes planned on a town's "green lung" have been shown to councillors.

The scheme for the sustainable homes in Highbridge includes 35 two-bed the 75 three-bed properties in a field between Lakeside and Isleport.

The former Sedgemoor District Council-owned site was sold to developers for £350,000 in 2020, despite massive opposition.

Hundreds of local people expressed concerns at the potential impact on wildlife, the loss of a public space and inappropriate over development of the area.

Outline planning permission for the project was won in the autumn of last year and the developers have recently given a presentation to Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge town councillors.

Further information has been given by Property Link's Toni Hammick and Lydia Whitaker, from design agency BoKlok, to planners about the proposed layout of the site in a more detailed reserved matters application.

Councillors heard that the modular homes will be constructed off site and that the development will feature green spaces and community facilities such as play areas and growing spaces.

A public right of way will be reroute along Bristol Road, while the Springfield Park rail crossing would be removed and safety measures installed beside the rhyne.

Access to the site, to the north of Walrow Ponds, would be from the A38 Bristol Road.

Under a previous agreement, 30 per cent of the properties will be affordable or developers will have to pay the council £345,000.

The developer has already signed a 106 'planning gain' agreement to contribute towards community facilities such as local schools and play equipment.

As part of the approval, the developer will ensure 30 per cent of the homes (the equivalent of 33 properties) will be affordable – or it will have to pay the council £345,000 if this cannot be achieved.

The existing Springfield Park footpath over the railway will be closed as part of the development, with the public right of way being re-routed along Bristol Road.

After the district council approved the sale of the and in 2020, a spokesperson said it had been impossible to keep it as a community green space due to difficulties securing a legal access.