PLANS for 80 affordable houses in a field are the first steps towards Trull being swallowed up by Taunton, it was claimed this week.

Summerfield Developments wants to build the homes off Comeytrowe Road - but district councillor Mark Edwards, who represents Trull, is worried because the site is in the greenbelt'.

"It should be protected land that helps Trull retain its village status - this development will be the first step towards concreting over the remaining fields in the area and merging Trull with Comeytrowe," said Mr Edwards.

He said villagers in Trull, where a public consultation has been held, oppose the development, which would be accessed by country lanes.

"They see it as the thin edge of the wedge, a stepping stone to the development of this entire area," said Mr Edwards.

Summerfield director Colin Mattravers said affordable homes allowed people who would otherwise be unable to buy a foot on the housing ladder.

He added: "There aren't a vast number of brownfield sites around Taunton and they generally go at open market value for open market housing.

"For affordable housing to work, we need to find affordable land that landowners are willing to make available now."

Meanwhile, LibDem leader of the council Ross Henley has slammed Mr Edwards.

He said: "It's absolutely bizarre of Mark Edwards to oppose affordable housing in his own ward when he's worked so hard to campaign for affordable housing in my ward (Wellington).

"It's a two-tier service from him to campaign for it in Wellington and yet when it comes up in his own ward, he opposes it."

For more on this story, see Thursday's Somerset County Gazette.

*Another public consultation on the proposals is being held at St Michael's Church Hall, Comeytrowe, from 3.30-7.30pm next Wednesday, September 5.