COUNCILLORS have warned plans to build a new home next to a busy Burnham-on-Sea junction are an 'accident waiting to happen'.

The applicant, Kenneth Rogers, is seeking planning permission to build a four-bedroom house, a garage and a new driveway at 25 Rectory Road in Burnham.

At a Burnham and Highbridge Town Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday (August 21) councillors hit out at the plans and said if approved they fear more accidents would occur at a junction between Rectory Road and Stoddens Road.

Councillor Nick Tolley, said: "Looking at this plan common sense has gone out the window.

"Access at the corner of Rectory Road and Stoddens Road is an accident waiting to happen."

Councillor Peter Clayton, agreed with Cllr Tolley and he has fears as 20 serious accidents have been recorded on the road.

"I strongly object to this application. I believe this application would negate all the hard-work we have done working to improve the road over the last few years," Cllr Clayton said.

"There has been 20 accidents recorded on the road and it is totally out of character with other properties in the area."

Councillor Louise Parkin echoed Cllr Clayton's comments and said the junction is one of the parishes 'accident blackspots'.

"It is an overdevelopment, the houses in Rectory Road are huge and I don't think you can diminish that," Cllr Parkin said.

"There has been up to 20 serious accidents on that road, it is one of the blackspots of our parish.

"Adding a minimum of an extra two cars will only exacerbate the problem."

Councillor Andy Brewer said the plan poses a risk to highway safety and revealed a number of residents have submitted letters to Sedgemoor District Council to voice their concerns about the plans.

Debbie Smith, who spoke on behalf of her parents, Peter and Felicity Alexander, who live on Rectory Road, said the couple 'strongly object' to plans as they say it would be an 'overdevelopment' of the site and would affect their privacy.

"The design and quality of the new development is very poor and bland in comparison to other properties on Rectory Road. It is an overdevelopment of the site," Debbie said.

"It would overshadow our garden, it would exacerbate parking problems on Rectory Road.

"The proposed new access would add considerably to the probability of accidents on this dangerous stretch of road."

Councillors unanimously voted against the proposal going ahead but the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.

To view the plans go on the planning section of Sedgemoor District Council's website and type in the application number: 11/18/00086.