A DECISION over the future of more than 150 homes in a Taunton Deane village is due to be made.

David Wilson Homes originally submitted the application to Taunton Deane Borough Council for 173 homes on Taunton Road in Bishops Lydeard in September 2017.

The plans would see 25 per cent of the homes allocated as 'affordable housing'.

A decision was expected last December but the applicant delayed the plans in order to revise some details.

The Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan laid out wishes for a reduction in the number of houses, an increase in the number of bungalows, and states provision must be in place to provide housing for older residents.

A spokesman for Bishops Lydeard Parish Council said: "Justification for the housing policy for older people is that currently there are too few smaller dwellings for people to downsize or retire to and residents are either remaining in houses which are too big for their needs or having to move out of the village when they might prefer to downsize and stay.

"The parish council understands that there could be an additional 40 properties of an appropriate size in the village for older people to downsize to. However, there are only four specially adapted bungalows for older people and the parish council would have preferred to

see more in the plans."

The applicant took time to amend the plans, which now include outline application for a care home.

A spokesman said: "The applicant and their consultant team have undertaken a period of design review following receipt of comments from officers and statutory consultees including Bishops Lydeard Parish Council.

"The most significant amendment is the introduction of safeguarded land within the scheme for provision of a care home."

Residents have voiced their concerns on the planning application.

K Ford, of Taunton Road, said: "The changes that have been made to this application are not enough to change my mind, it is unacceptable to still ask for 173 houses, when all said there should be less and squash them into an acre less land."

B Shaw, also of Taunton Road, said: I believe this development is much too large for the village and would increase traffic problems and have a detrimental effect on the environment. With the exception of the provision of traffic lights on Taunton Road, I agree wholeheartedly with the comments by the parish council who also believe the number of houses should be reduced."

The planning application will go before Taunton Deane Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday night (October 10).

Currently, the application is recommended for approval by the council.

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