PLANS to demolish a garage to build 20 affordable homes in Bridgwater have been given the green light this week.

Magna Housing submitted plans to demolish three units, including an MOT testing centre and car sales business at The Old Tile Works in All Saints Terrace, Bridgwater.

In its place Magna plan to build eight residential houses and 12 flats, and the plans were approved by Sedgemoor District Council's development committee on Tuesday, May 26.

The site is located to the east of the junction of All Saints Terrace and Colley Lane.

The proposal includes a new three-storey block with six one-bed flats and six two-bed flats, as well as eight separate three-bed houses.

Overall 28 parking spaces will be provided to serve the 20 affordable properties.

There were objections from Bridgwater Town Council regarding an increase in traffic movements, while eight letters opposing the plan were submitted by local residents.

Somerset County Council's parking services manager said it was looking into whether a permit parking scheme should be introduced for residents of All Saints Terrace and Pathfinder Terrace - however this would not be open to occupants of the new development.

Sedgemoor District Council's affordable housing manager spoke strongly in support of the proposals, saying: "This project is providing 20 new affordable rented homes in the heart of Bridgwater and 100 per cent of these homes will be affordable.

"The new homes will be owned and managed by Magna Housing Association, who are a respected and high performing housing organisation.

"This development forms an important part of the Council s portfolio of housing association led projects designed to help mitigate the impact on the local housing market associated with the influx of construction workers at Hinkley C.

"Bridgwater needs more homes, and projects such as this will make a valuable contribution to increasing the supply of housing in the town."

Having consulted the Highways authority, the council planning officers felt the proposal would not result in any undue impacts on road safety, and subsequently recommended the plans for approval.

The development committee voted in favour of granting permission, subject to a series of conditions.