THINGS got heated at Williton Parish Council on Monday with councillors at odds with the chairman on a planning application for new retail space in the village.

Local businessman David Gliddon has resubmitted a planning application for retail units and a mini-roundabout near Williton, which had previously been submitted along with plans for a supermarket.

Cllr Mike Bennett questioned why the council planning committee had turned down an application, saying that it was 'blocking progress'.

The parish council planning committee had voted against the proposal by three votes to two, objecting on the grounds that the Inner Relief Road, concern of a further roundabout causing traffic gridlock and the possible loss of Lloyds Bank.

Cllr Bennett said: "We keep turning everything down, but it doesn't make any sense to just keep turning everything down. We are blocking progress, it is absolutely ridiculous."

Vice chairman Bill Vaughan replied: "We only have one empty premises in Williton and until such time as Mr Gliddon gets permission to build the supermarket, then the Inner Relief Road, although it is only aspirational at the moment, must remain a consideration."

Cllr Bennett said he felt the council's position was detrimental to the growth of the village.

"This man has come up with a plan which will improve Williton and we are turning it down," he said.

"Will it improve things? Go and tell that to the 1,500 locals who have signed a petition against the supermarket development," chairman Robert McDonald replied.

"Well then why aren't we helping him instead of just repeatedly rejecting it?" Cllr Bennett said.

The chairman said that Mr Gliddon had been invited to the parish council to answer questions on numerous occasions but had only once sent his secretary who took notes rather than providing answers.

Cllr Mike White said he felt the council was deluding itself if it thought this development would not go ahead.

"I agree with Cllr Bennett. We are not going to stop this development, it is of an enterprising nature and Mr Gliddon will go to government if he has to. What are we going to do if he gets planning permission, are we going to embrace it?" Cllr White said.

This application is a resubmission, having previously been turned down by West Somerset District Council planning committee in December, in spite of the fact the council officers recommended that it was approved.