RESIDENTS have hit out against plans which could see 200 new homes built in a village on the outskirts of Taunton.

Gladman Land has started a public consultation on their proposals to build in fields off Langaller Lane, Creech St Michael.

Leaflets have been sent to 830 homes and businesses in the area – but residents fear what development would mean for the area.

Resident Lynn Gates has set up an online petition against the proposed development which so far has 240 signatures.

“We really do not need or want another 200 houses here,” she said. “Gladman Land propose a huge development on our last remaining fields between North End and the M5 which will tower over existing bungalows and dominate the landscape.

“We do not have the infrastructure to support a development of this size. We have just one village shop, a school that is over subscribed and a doctor’s surgery where you have to book an appointment a month in advance.”

Mrs Gates said residents are concerned that 200 houses could mean another 250-300 cars on the roads using the village as a rat run.

Another resident, Wendy Sargent, said: “We are totally and utterly fed up with building works here. Plans are not even completed before another firm jumps in to make yet more money at the expense of our green fields.

“There are lots of schools in and around Taunton with far worse road access etcetera.

Now we have congestion on the A361 through Monkton Heathfield and roads are being blocked out this way.”

The plans are at an early stage and have not yet been submitted to Taunton Deane Borough Council – which developers say cannot meet its housing targets.

Tim Booth, planning director for Gladman Land, said: “We give careful consideration to the sites we choose, identifying sensible, sustainable locations for development in areas where councils cannot meet their full housing needs.

“We appreciate people who live within the vicinity of our proposals may have concerns, however these need to be balanced against the requirement to provide much needed homes.

“Councils have a duty to ensure sufficient housing can be delivered to meet the needs of their population in a five-year rolling period. Presently we believe that Taunton Deane cannot meet this requirement. As a consequence the Creech St Michael site could be granted permission and could quickly deliver new homes."