THE leader of the Conservative Opposition on Taunton Deane Council has slammed the authority's LibDem leader over affordable housing.

John Williams launched into Ross Henley for opposing a development at Ham, near Wellington, with homes for sale at 60% of market value.

Mr Henley accused his opponent of aggression and "silly political games".

Mr Williams attacked Mr Henley for opposing the 36-home Chelston scheme and 300 homes at Cades Farm, a third of which would be affordable.

He contrasted the council leader to LibDem MP Jeremy Browne, who he praised for backing the Ham project.

"It's difficult to understand why Cllr Henley should be so negative about such an important priority," said Mr Williams.

"In Wellington alone there are 602 families on the council's housing waiting list - if no more families applied for housing, it would take 15 years to clear this backlog.

"Does Cllr Henley wish these families to suffer a future with no realistic proposal of getting a decent home in a reasonable time?

"People rarely like development near them, but proposals have to be considered for the community as a whole within the full democratic process of the planning system.

"Regrettably Cllr Henley has tried to subvert this democratic process."

Mr Henley retaliated by saying the LibDems will deliver more affordable homes than the Tories did during their recent four-year term.

He added: "It's sad that Cllr Williams wants to be so aggressive and play silly political games.

"The last time the LibDems proposed affordable housing in Cllr Williams's own ward, he opposed it, so I'm surprised he keeps saying these things.

"The LibDems aren't going to take any lessons on social housing from John Williams, who spent the last four years wasting nearly £900,000 of taxpayers' money on his failed council house stock transfer."