COUNCILLORS have spoken out against controversial plans to build 47 homes at a Highbridge beauty spot but delayed making a decision so residents have more time to have their say.

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.

At a Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday (August 21) Cllr John Parkes said residents who will be affected by the proposed development need more time to have their say.

"The application was registered on August 10 and the earliest time a decision can be made is on September 15. That doesn't leave much time for residents to have their say," Cllr Parkes said.

RELATED LINK: Anger over plans for 47 homes at Walrow

"A number of residents have told me they have major concerns about the plan and said the speed of this application is beggars belief.

"If Sedgemoor wants to show good practice in engaging with the community you would have thought they would have held a consultation period."

Councillor Andy Brewer said the plans had taken the council 'by surprise' and said the council can request for an extension to the deadline for comments so residents have more time to share their views on the plans.

"If we request an an extension and it is not approved by Sedgemoor I will call for an extraordinary meeting of this council as we need to make our views known on these plans," Cllr Brewer said.

Councillors also expressed concerns about road safety and said they are worried about the potential volume of traffic going in and out of the site

Councillor Nick Tolley, said: "To have 150 extra vehicles going in and out of Walrow Road would be ridiculous.

"It is already gridlocked. I just don't see it being possible."

Councillor Louise Parkin echoed Cllr Tolley's comments and said she has 'no doubt' traffic on the road would increase if the development goes ahead.

"There are parked cars as you come up Walrow Road on either side," Cllr Parkin said.

"I have a 4x4 and can just about manage to get my car up there and they are expecting to get lorries through there? I don't know how they are going to do that.

"Can we ask a Highways officer to go down and look at the road during peak time and not at 2pm? Then they can see what it is really like on that road."

Councillors unanimously agreed to hold off from making a decision and ask Sedgemoor District Council to extend the deadline to allow more time for residents to be consulted on the plans.

They will discuss the plans at their next meeting on September 17.

To view the full application visit the planning section of Sedgemoor District Council's website and search for the application: 11/18/00071.