A COUNCILLOR said plans to remove hedging on a Burnham-Sea road are 'sinister'. 

Cllr John Parkes from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council made the remarks during a planning committee meeting on March 20. 

Councillors considered plans submitted by the owner of a field on Love Lane to remove 250 metres of hedgerow to allow a ditch to be cleared out. 

Cllr Parkes said: "I find this application quite sinister. 

"This field is one of five sites in Burnham-on-Sea identified for possible future housing development. "

But councillors said although they agreed with Cllr Parkes' comments they felt it would be 'silly' to reject the application. 

Cllr Peter Burridge Clayton said: "This field often floods over the winter so I fully understand why the ditch should be cleared."

Town councillors agreed to back the plans for the removal of the hedgerow but the final decision will rest with Sedgemoor District Council.