PLANS for 136 homes on Cleeve Hill near Watchet look set to be given the green light this week.

The proposals, which also include a major infrastructure project to move a stretch of the coastal B3191 further inland, are recommended for approval - subject to a significant number of conditions - at Somerset West & Taunton’s virtual planning committee meeting due to take place on Thursday (July 16).

The plans would see 136 new homes built on the site with new roads, a new public right of way and open recreational space.

However the development is not without its critics, with more than 50 residents writing to object to the new homes plan.

Although the application is recommended for approval, several conditions are being attached including further information about construction traffic, a further report from a structural engineer and another from an archaeologist.

The Cleeve Hill site is located on a large open pasture field located near to cliffs south of the B3191 on the outskirts of Watchet.

The Highways Authority say the calculated figures for the likely number of vehicles movements generated by the development in peak hours are not significant enough to sustain an objection.

It is anticipated the development would see a total of 55 new school pupils and the developer will need to contribute more than £900,000 to help improve education facilities to enable the schools to accept the higher numbers of pupils.

One outlying issue the what percentage of the development would be affordable homes.

The council and developers are assessing viability of the development, particularly in regards to the cost of moving the B3191 inland and how this affects the number of affordable homes required.

There has been one letter of support submitted for the Cleeve Hill homes, which describes the existing area as ‘unsightly’ and welcomes the move to bring the road further inland.

However 58 residents have submitted objection citing a wide variety of factors including impacts on infrastructure such as GP surgeries, the stability of the land, light pollution, the steepness of the hill meaning people will drive rather than walk or cycle into town, and the cumulative impact with other major housing developments proposed for Watchet.