A HOUSEBUILDER is proposing to build 18 homes on a field not included in plats allocated for development by the council.

The project on the edge of the village of Oake would include four four-bedroom homes, three three-bed houses, two three-bed bungalows and one two-bed bungalow, which would all be sold on the open market.

'Discounted' homes would include two three-bed houses and three two-beds, while one two-bed house and two one-bed flats would be available for affordable rent.

The planning application by First Step Homes (Wessex) has been submitted to Taunton Deane Borough Council.

There would also be a pumping station, car parking, landscaping and vehicular access on land east of Oake.

The application says: "The development will provide accommodation addressing the identifed need, create a sense of place, ownership and pride through good design and will maintain a high level of surveillance over circulation areas.

"Massing and urban grain studies have been undertaken during the design process to create a development that is in keeping with its village surroundings."

But the greenfield agricultural land, which is adjoined to Oake Acres, falls outside the council's core strategy of areas it believes should be developed for housing.