PROPOSALS for hundreds of homes on farmland in Staplegrove have been blasted “unnecessary” and “unwanted”.

A planning application is expected later this year for the homes on a swathe of farmland north of Corkscrew Lane, running from east of Kingston Road through to Cross Keys.

Following a public meeting last Wednesday, Staplegrove Parish Council wrote to Taunton Deane Council opposing the scheme.

Chairman Dr Geoff Hayes said: *the development is unwanted, misplaced, excessively large and would destroy the village’s character; *locals fear it would destroy a “magnificent rural aspect”; *money could run out before a pledge to bury power lines and build a spine road materialises; *more traffic would increase congestion on already busy roads and lanes; *there is little employment locally, meaning residents would have to cross town for work.

“Staplegrove Parish Council feels very strongly that this development is unnecessary, unwanted and should not be allowed to go ahead,” said Dr Hayes.

Over 250 from Whitmore Area Residents Group attended last week’s meeting, telling the site promoters the area is unable to sustain such a large urban expansion.

They expressed worries about lack of local employment, additional traffic, doubts over how essential road systems could be delivered coherently WARG’s Chris Fomes, who is worried cash could dry up before the “unsustainable” project is completed, said: “Of equal concern is the delivery of the massive amounts of infrastructure required to build so many houses so far out in the countryside.

“Key essential infrastructure would include the re-routing of electricity pylons underground, moving existing gas-mains and installing a complex drainage system on the site, all of which would cost millions to install.”

He added: “The last, and arguably the most inflammatory factor, is the perceived destruction of the most beautiful and valuable farmland and countryside in the county, destroyed in the name of a seemingly vague set of Taunton Deane Council Core Strategy housing policies.”

A spokesman for the promoters of the sites said: “We have had a good response to the consultation of our Framework Masterplan and welcome all feedback.

“Some people, understandably, do have concerns, but others welcome the prospect of new family homes and a new road to ease congestion through Staplegrove.

“We are committed to working with local people to resolve any concerns.”