CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 46 new homes in Highbridge have been approved by Sedgemoor District Council's Development Committee.

Developer Flower & Hayes was seeking planning permission to build 46 homes on land to the north of Walrow Road in Highbridge, but the plans have been met with significant objections by Burnham & Highbridge Town Council.

Flower & Hays submitted a similar application last year, but was rejected in March 2019 with the Development Committee stating that the proposals constituted 'inappropriate development' that would 'be out of keeping with the character of the surrounding area'.

But at a meeting on Tuesday (June 2) Sedgemoor District Council's development committee gave the plans the green-light despite opposition from residents.

Joy Russell, a resident who has opposed the application, spoke at the meeting and said she feels the developers have used 'underhand tactics' to push the application forward and have 'insulted councillors by saying they have been influenced by local residents.'

"The developers are pressuring you to rush this development through," Ms Russell said.

"Surely the determination has been delayed due to unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the developers are unfairly using this to their advantage.

"This is an accident hotspot. Traffic survey information is unreliable, and we couldn't set up our speedwatch there because it was deemed too dangerous by police.

"How fair is it to position these houses right next to the railway line? The noise will be unbearable."

Lorna Williams from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council also spoke at the meeting.

The town council has previously objected to the development, citing concerns over the 'inadequate access', 'overdevelopment of the site', 'insufficient flood mitigation' and the impact on wildlife.

"Contrary to information in the application, we have direct knowledge of at least one serious accident at this location approximately a year ago." Ms Williams said.

"How fair is it to position these houses right next to the railway line? The noise will be unbearable.

"This is an accident hotspot. Traffic survey information is unreliable, and we couldn't set up our speedwatch there because it was deemed too dangerous by police."

"The developers are pressuring you to rush this development through. Surely the determination has been delayed due to unprecedented circumstances due to the #coronavirus pandemic, and the developers are unfairly using this to their advantage."

Councillors on the committee also raised concerns about traffic and flooding around the site.

In a letter read out at meeting Cllr Janet Keen, said: "The railway bridge has a 3-tonne weight limit so heavy traffic must use Walrow Road."

"Walrow Road is a very busy B-road. The bridge's weight limit is routinely ignored.

"The site does flood in winter - I've seen ducks and geese swimming around on the field. The measures proposed pose a real threat to the residents of Walrow Terrace opposite the site."

Cllr Mike Murphy: "I'm very concerned about the traffic and the flooding. The traffic I have personal experience of - in 2018 a car came around Walrow and wrote my car off." Says that was the ninth such accident in the area in recent years.

"In effect, the developers are allowing the site to become a bowl, because they've shifted the levels and said they can solve the problem by putting in a bund and a small wall. That would hardly stop water coming in and staying in that bowl."

Councillors also raised concerns about the site being 'overdeveloped' and said the provision for affordable housing.

But Cllr Alistair Hendry said he was in favour of the development as he did not think flooding was an issue in Highbridge.

Cllr Hendry: "Never in any winter I know of has there been flooding in #Highbridge. This development will not change that at all.

"I'm in favour of this development - I don't have any problem with it whatsoever."

Despite their concerns councillors voted to approve the plans with ten voting for and three voting against.