'SECRET plans' that could lead to thousands of homes being built on the green belt south of the M5 would lead to a village being swallowed up by Taunton, it is claimed this week.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that consultants have put the case for 3,460 homes linked to a proposed new junction 25a as part of the improvements to the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton.

Planners have always resisted expanding the county town south of the motorway and any planned development is sure to meet huge opposition.

David Orr, who uncovered the document outlining details of the potential for the development, has hit out at the "disturbing secret plans" in the Corfe area.

He said: "I do not recall enablement of a large housing extension on green belt land beyond the M5 being part of the criteria for selection of the Highways England (HE) preferred route that was part of the public domain consultation.

"Yet this previously hidden documentation claims it as a major (hidden from public view) driver."

READ MORE: A358 upgrade could bring extra M5 junction for Taunton

Mike Farrell, of Stoke St Mary Parish Council, said he suspects a deal may be struck between HE and Somerset County Council to enable the junction and the homes to be built.

"It seems like HE are dangling a carrot saying you can build your houses if we can put in a roundabout at Junction 25a," said Mr Farrell.

"I fear for Stoke St Mary because it will become part of the Taunton sprawl like Bishop's Hull and Norton Fitzwarren.

"The A358 scheme doesn't give Henlade the by-pass it needs. It's a Taunton by-pass and will just divert traffic away from the town."

A private report from consultants Mott MacDonald Sweco to HE outlines the potential for 3,460 homes, adding: "It is reasonable to conclude that the junction would probably easily accommodate an additional 1,000 vehicles an hour during the morning peak hour, which could help to service a development site to the south of Taunton."

A Highways England spokesperson said: “The consultation on plans to relieve congestion on the A358 between Taunton and Southfields offers people the chance to see our initial proposal at an early stage of the scheme.  When the consultation period closes on 16 July we will consider all of the feedback we have received which will help us understand the impact of the proposals and refine future options.”

A Somerset County Council spokesman today (Thursday) said: “This is about a Highways England project and speculation about housing development, and therefore clearly for the local authority responsible for housing – Taunton Deane Borough Council – and Highways England to comment on."

READ MORE: Council seeks answers over A358 dualling plan

Meanwhile, Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow has met Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to voice local concern that HE has only presented one of its route options for the A358 improvements.

She told Mr Grayling the upgrade fails to link into a proposed employment site at J25 and "it remains unclear what economic benefit will be brought to the area".

Ms Pow said: "I was grateful to have an open and frank meeting with Chris Grayling where I conveyed the views of many people in Taunton Deane.

"After all it will be local residents who have to use the road and live with its consequences every day, so I am determined that their views will be heard.

"It is also important that national requirements to move traffic more quickly from east to west are satisfied. It is all about balancing the options."

A Taunton Deane Borough Council spokesman said today that it has never had any plans for large-scale development south of the potential new M5 motorway junction towards Corfe.

The authority's development proposals are detailed in its adopted core strategy – its development blueprint.

Council leader Cllr John Williams said: "We as a council have set out our long-term development proposals – this site is not included."

He added: “I would like to assure residents that we have no plans for large-scale housing in this area.”

The spokesman said reference to a large-scale development appears to be an assumption made by Highways England’s consultants on the potential growth capacity that could be unlocked should the new Junction 25a be built at this location.

"Proposals for the new junction are just that – proposals," added the spokesman.

"There have been no decisions and Taunton Deane Borough Council has made its views on those proposals clear, as has Somerset County Council.

"As the planning authority, Taunton Deane Borough Council is responsible for considering – and planning for – future development.

"The proposals for new urban extensions are detailed in the core strategy; there are no proposals now – or in the past - for development south of the motorway towards Corfe.

"The council would like to take this opportunity to make is position clear and to assure residents that proposals for development are open and transparent - the urban extensions, for example, have been subject to extensive consultations over a number of years."