MORE than 100 new homes will be built near the West Somerset coast despite concerns about traffic and road safety.

Grass Roots Planning Ltd, which is based in Bristol, applied for permission to build 139 new homes on land between Doniford Road and Normandy Avenue in Watchet.

Residents objected to the plans, arguing it would put pressure on local service and that other major developments in the area should be built out first.

But Somerset West and Taunton Council has allowed the homes to go ahead following a site visit by councillors in mid-October.

Residents set out their concerns at a packed planning committee meeting held in Williton on Thursday afternoon (October 24).

Geoff Newland, who lives on Normandy Avenue, said there was inadequate public transport to allow people to reach local facilities without putting themselves in danger.

He said: “If I want to go to the Williton doctors’ surgery, I have to walk down a road with a 60mph speed limit. Young mums with pushchairs will be scared stiff going down there.”

Ann Bowsher added: “To get to the centre of Watchet, we will have to walk past the school and over the hill – which is a 30-minute walk.

“The planning inspector has said that this whole should only be completed when the Liddymore Farm site has been done – so why this is being built now?”

The council is currently considering proposals for 250 homes at Liddymore Farm in Watchet – almost directly opposite the site for the 139 homes.

West Somerset Council (which was abolished in April) also passed plans for 73 homes further up Doniford Road back in August 2014.

Planning officer Andrew Penna said the development would provide nearly £222,000 for early years’ provision in the local area, as well as more than £546,000 for the Knights Templar First School to the west of the site.

Councillor Peter Murphy – who sits on Watchet Town Council – said: “We remain concerned about the scale of housing planned around Watchet which will increase the size of our town by half.”

Council Loretta Whetlor – who represents Watchet and Williton – was unable to attend the committee meeting, but said in a statement read out on her behalf that the two areas could not cope with more development.

She said: “Watchet and Williton are being saturated with development. Are we expected to serve the whole West Somerset housing in need in this area?”

After around an hour of deliberation, the committee voted to approve the plans by a margin of seven votes to three.