Williton homes scheme hold-up over access fears (From Somerset County Gazette)

Williton homes scheme hold-up over access fears

2:00pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Hannah Green

A DECISION about plans to build 29 houses in Williton has been deferred after concerns sparked an hour-long debate at West Somerset Council’s latest planning committee meeting.

Members’ main worry was the lack of visibility at the access to the estate, proposed to be sited at Doniford Road leading into Liddymore Lane.

Chairman Cllr Tony Knight said: “I have used the road from Doniford to Williton for over 40 years and it is not the easiest road to drive along.

“It is becoming very well used and if cars were coming out at that point I think there could be problems.”

Cllr Chris Morgan added: “It just seems a crazy place to have an access and I can’t fathom the logic behind putting it there.”

The deferral will also allow other concerns about flood risks, traffic, parking and the failure to hit the 35% affordable housing target for new developments to be explored further.

Cllr Ian Melhuish said: “A lot of issues can be dealt with but the one that can’t be is the issue of access.

“If the hedge on the other side of the road could be moved back, which would be a relatively simple and inexpensive way of improving visibility, then we might be happier with it, but the applicant has said he doesn’t want to do this.”

Planning manager Andrew Goodchild said moving the access would mean a completely different application would have to be submitted but that deferral would give time to tie up some of the loose ends.

Should the proposal go through, 20 of the homes would be on the open market and nine would be classed as affordable housing.

At least ten objections were lodged during the public consultation, including several from people who live in bungalows in Butts Close overlooking the site.