SOMERSET West and Taunton (SWT) said it is 'seeking a way forward' with developers over plans to build pumping stations to handle sewage produced by the planned urban extension at Comeytrowe and Trull.

The council granted outline permission in August 2019 for 2,000 new homes to be built between the A38 Wellington Road near Rumwell and Honiton Road in Trull.

A consortium of three developers – Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes and Summerfield Developments – recently put forward detailed plans to SWT for new pumping stations to handle the sewage produced by the new homes and any additional surface water run-off.

But residents believe the pumping station will damage the Galmington Stream which runs through the development site, leading to a higher risk of pollution and flooding for local homes.

READ MORE: Hundreds sign petition to protect stream near major housing development

The reserved matters planning application is seeking approval for the appearance, access, landscaping, layout and scale of the facilities to support the site’s strategic infrastructure works.

But SWT said the facilities proposed under the new application are shown to be accessed directly off Comeytrowe Road from an access point that was not part of the agreed outline planning consent.

A SWT spokesperson said the access point was not indicated on the approved ‘access and movement parameter plan’ and as a result the application is 'invalid.'

"SWT as the Local Planning Authority is of the opinion that this new vehicular access point cannot be dealt with as a reserved matter and would require a full permission in its own right," the spokesperson said.

"For this reason, the Local Planning Authority considers that the whole application (42/20/0024) is invalid.

"As a result, it is not progressing the proposal but is currently negotiating on this issue with the applicant.

"Further details on any progress with these negotiations will be posted on the Council’s website under the application reference number."