A WOMAN has hit out at plans to build 47 homes at a Highbridge beauty spot as she says a 'weak' bridge that gives access onto the site is 'an accident waiting to happen'.

Developer Flower & Hayes has submitted plans to build a 14 two bed, 30 three bed and three four bedroom homes and 128 parking spaces on land to the north of Walrow Road in Highbridge.

The land is currently partly used as a smallholding for ducks, geese, sheep and pigs and is located near Highbridge train station.

Joy Russell, a resident of Walrow Terrace, claims the main access point in and out of the site, a railway bridge on Walrow Road, is weak and she has fears the road will become 'hazardous' for pedestrians

"The idea of an access point to the development coming down off this weak weight restricted bridge seems to be an accident waiting to happen," Joy said.

"A lot of traffic passes over this bridge and there are already three junctions, a fourth so close to the brow of the bridge seems like madness.

"The government actively encourages us to walk or cycle but it is a fearful section of road to negotiate and would be more hazardous with lorries going up and down there during construction."

Joy said she also has fears that there is not enough infrastructure to support the development as she says there are waiting lists for schools and doctors.

"There are hundreds more houses planned for this area, it is well known there are waiting lists for the local schools, a two week wait to see a doctor or dentist, pressure on our un-retained local fire brigade, no post office and cutbacks in the police department," Joy said.

"Surely this needs to be sorted before any development is done."

Joy said she is also concerned that the proposed development would be built on green-belt land and has fears it could push out local wildlife.

"If this goes ahead I would miss looking out of my window every day and watching the sky, birds, trees and wildlife," Joy said.

"I know that this is happening all over the country but soon we will have no back yards to protect.

"The green belt gets chomped up and the wildlife, which is in crisis, yet again, gets pushed out."

But Mike Murphy, chairman of Highbridge Chamber of Trade, said he thinks it is a 'reasonable' proposal for the site as there is a 'good mix' of homes in the plans.

"I feel sympathy with the residents at Walrow Terrace who have had views onto fields for many years but this plot was designated for development," Mike said.

"I think it is a reasonable idea and is quite a bold proposal as there is a good mix of two, three and four bedroom properties proposed for the site.

"Market Street has been earmarked for improvements to its retail offer and I think this development will be in a great position when improvements are complete but there is still a long way to go."

Councillors from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council's planning committee met to discuss the plans on August 21 after The Weekly News went to press.