CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 100 Portakabins to house Hinkley workers next to a Watchfield pub have been axed after a heated debate.

More than 120 residents packed into Watchfield Village Hall on Thursday (August 23) and grilled bosses from Global Tunnelling Experts about the plans. 

Paul Shepherd, commercial director of Global Tunnelling Solutions, and his colleague, Simon Orchard, attempted to give residents a full business presentation about their company and the Hinkley work but they were  shouted down by residents. 

Mr Shepherd quickly abandoned the presentation and told residents the company wanted to use the site to provide good accommodation to their workers as they have 'a duty of care' to them. 

"Large scale projects like Hinkley require lots of workers and we have a duty of care not to put them in caravans but to fully utilise accommodation at Hinkley and EDF's second campus in Bridgwater wherever possible," Mr Shepherd said.

But angry residents said they didn't want the development to go ahead and said they were concerned there would not be enough facilities in the village to accommodate the workers.

One resident, said: "This is a small hamlet - it is completely unsuitable to put these workers here. 

"There is nothing here for them, what are they going to do? 

"Isleport would be far better, we just don't want it here. All we want is our nice pub back."

Ian Jamieson from Malthus Uniteam, who was working with Global Tunnelling Solutions on the project, said part of the developer's plan was to restore the old pub alongside the temporary accommodation.

But residents quickly hit back and shouted at the developers saying they didn't want the Portakabins in the village.

Mr Jamieson, said: "I fully understand you do not want a sales pitch but our business is temporary accommodation. We already have one of these units on Shetland.

"We're not trying to ride rough and shod on this - we wanted to come and meet you. 

"We haven't spoken to planners yet, this is just one tiny step along the way."

During a heated exchange a number of residents then asked the developer's what workers would do if the plans got the go ahead.

Mr Jamieson said if the plans got the go ahead there would be 'mutual benefits' for residents and the developer and said they would look into reopening the pub and attaching a gym to it and building tennis courts, football pitches and basketball courts.

One resident said: "We don't want those things here, you clearly don't know the area."

After a lively debate in a shock u-turn Mr Shepherd told residents the company would no longer be looking to build on the site. 

"As we said from the outset, our whole aim here is not to make enemies,its to make friends wherever possible," Mr Shepherd said. 

"We have come here to gauge opinion and its clear from everything that we see at the moment that opinion is negative. 

"I can give you my word as of this moment there will be nothing here and no further interaction from Global Tunnelling Experts on that site."

Speaking after the meeting, Rachael Cotton, a Watchfield resident, said: "I am sure the local community are all delighted with this outcome. 

"Common sense prevailed."