A RURAL village could soon be swamped with more houses than were supposed to be built there over the next ten years, planners have been told.

Angry parishioners and councillors in Bishops Lydeard are opposing an application to construct 173 homes off Taunton Road.

David Wilson Homes South West's proposals, which include outline plans for a care home, are being recommended for conditional approval at Taunton Deane Borough Council's planning meeting on Wednesday.

If agreed, there would be 43 affordable units and 130 open market properties, including three, four and five bedroom homes, flats and bungalows.

Part of the development would be opposite Kings Yard and Webbers, with the remainder abutting Hither Mead and farmland.

Bishops Lydeard Parish Council has fired off a strongly worded protest, claiming its views have received "token recognition at best".

A spokesman said three units are currently being built at Station Green , with a planning application submitted for ten more there and 20 in Taunton Road.

He said: "Taking these into account would mean the core strategy requirement to host 200 new homes between now and 2028 would already be exceeded.

"In the circumstances, the parish council considers that the maximum number of units that should now be permitted should not exceed 120."

The parish is calling on the borough council to refuse of at least adjourn its decision to allow further discussions on plans it considers more suited to an urban centre.

Halse Parish Council has also criticised the proposals, saying they would result in increased congestion in Bishops Lydeard, compromise safety at the junction between Taunton Road and the A358 and cause queuing at the Cross Keys roundabout.

Concerns expressed among dozens of letters sent to the Deane include the strain the development would put on local services, including the school and health centre; the design and size of the homes; the impact on the countryside; and road safety.

The scheme would provide a Community Infrastructure Levy of around £3.25 million and a New Homes Bonus of £1.12m for the Deane and £280,018 for the county council.

A TDBC report to Wednesday's meeting says: "While the proposal is for 173, which is greater than specified in the policy, it is not considered an over development of the site given the nature of the design and layout of the proposed development."

It adds: "The development provides suitable access and parking, adequate play, open space provision and affordable housing and wildlife and heritage matters are suitably addressed.

"The design and materials of the dwellings are considered to be in keeping with the area - with now 16 stone dwellings, a stone entrance feature and 25m of stone wall along the main road - and subject to appropriate conditions the benefits of the scheme in terms of employment, affordable housing and local housing is considered to outweigh this one self-build element."