A PLANNING application has been submit that would see 173 new homes built in a village on the outskirts of Taunton. 

David Wilson Homes Ltd has applied to Taunton Deane Borough Council to build the new homes on Taunton Road in Bishops Lydeard. 

The application was registered by the council on September 29 and a decision is expected at the end of December. 

Somerset County Gazette:

The site is said to be allocated within Taunton Deane's Site Allocation Development Management Plan (SADMP, 2016). 

The proposal would see 173 new homes with 25 per cent used as affordable housing. 

The public are invited to comment on the application from today until October 27. 

Some local residents have already voiced their views through the online consultation.

They stated concerns including that services in the area, such as doctors surgeries and schools, would be put under strain. 

Richard Barrett, Kings Yard, said: "I appreciate there is need for new housing, however I find the amount of houses proposed would put a huge strain on the provisions inside Bishops Lydeard.

"The co-op is already too busy and a nightmare to park beside, with the additional persons this situation would worsen. We have limited pubs, shops etc, in the village as it is for the present number of residence.

"If the planning permission was granted I would like to see the addition of another convenience store within the proposed area to reduce this problem."

Nicholas Gardner, Hither Mead, said: "Unless further health provision is included this will swamp Quantock Vale health centre. No provision was made when Cotford St Luke was built and that increased pressure on the centre which resulted in longer waiting times to get an appointment."

Another resident voiced her concerns that the new houses would increase traffic in the area. 

Sandra Relf, Taunton Road, said: "I feel that the village of Bishops Lydeard is not suited for the amount of traffic this housing estate will bring which would cause more accidents on a very busy route which we have had to build around about on to slow traffic down."

David Wilson Homes has been approached for comment. 

To view the plans search number 06/17/0033 on the Taunton Deane planning application website.