Residents of a small Somerset town have hit back at plans to redevelop a former brewery site into low-cost housing.

The Golden Hill brewery on Coopers Heights in Wiveliscombe was used by different Somerset brewers for more than 150 years between the Georgian era and its eventual closure in 2015.

The Somerset Co-operative Community Land Trust has submitted plans to turn this central brownfield site into 25 low-cost flats and a “community enterprise hub” to provide local employment.

But residents have lodged numerous objections to the plans, claiming the planned development is too prominent, has too little parking provision and could damage the local heritage.

Adrian Myram – who lives on Golden Hill – said: “A major concern raised was that the new development will destroy the iconic view of the heritage buildings in a conservation area.

“There is no doubt a three-storey block of flats, built on an elevated position alongside the existing tower and chimney, will dominate and change this skyline forever.

“The sense of uproar from the community and level of objection, anxiety and disbelief is evident from the volume of detailed comments on the council’s planning website.

“There is a consensus that this is a small brownfield site in a sensitive conservation area, on a prominent hilltop in the middle of an industrial site that should not be developed on this scale and density.”

The town council voted to recommend refusal of the plans, with town clerk Sarah Towells stating: “While we do see a need for social housing, targeted at those without children, we do not believe this is an appropriate development to deliver for this need.”

Tony and Virginia Murray, who live on Ford Road, said there was “insufficient space” for this number of flats within the constrained site.

They added: “The trust says that the parking requirements for the new scheme will be less because car ownership is lower for social housing tenants.

“While this may be true in towns like Taunton, in Wiveliscombe, which is a rural area with very poor public transport provision, it will be higher.”

Catherine Hounsell, who owns a car park on the brewery site, said she welcomed more social housing in the town but felt the location was “unsuitable” and the construction could damage the existing heritage assets.

The district council is expected to make a decision on the plans by the end of the year.