PROPOSALS for 23 homes on land not earmarked for development look likely to get the go ahead.

Summerfield Developments SW Ltd wants to build the mix of two-storey detached, semi-detached and terraced houses on land off Taunton Road, Wellington.

Somerset West and Taunton Council planning committee is being recommended to approve the plans at its meeting next Thursday (September 12).

A decision on the scheme was deferred by the committee in June.

The homes, which would include five affordable units, would be built on land south of Taunton Road accessed by an exiting road that serves a veterinary hospital to the north of the site, which adjoins Cades Farm.

Wellington Town Council supports the project, although it would like to see Summerfield fund more affordable housing, play areas and landscaping.

Somerset County Council's highways section also supports the application, saying the development "is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on traffic movements on the local highway network".

But the Environment Agency has expressed concerns that the houses would be close to a flood zone, while the back gardens would be within the flood zone.

The agency is calling for flood "mitigation measures" to be fully implemented before anyone moves into the homes.

SWT has received four letters of objection, which include the lack of need for more houses in the town; fears of increased traffic and use of a dangerous access; loss of wildlife; and concerns the development could result in flooding downstream.

An officer's report to the planning committee concedes that the scheme is "contrary to the development plan as it lies outside the settlement limit and partly affects the green wedge".

It says the development is "a logical one that respects the public open space to the east", while landscape screening would "retain and reinforce the open break between Wellington and Chelston".

It adds: "The provision of a formal public open space will help the green wedge to fulfil one of its stated objectives which would otherwise be unachievable.

"This combined with the delivery of housing in a sustainable location is considered to outweigh the conflict with the plan."