COUNCILLORS have warned plans to build 47 homes at a Highbridge beauty spot next to a busy road are '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.

At a Burnham and Highbridge Town Council planning committee meeting on Monday (September 17) residents and councillors hit out at the plans and said if approved they fear more accidents would occur on Walrow.

Mike Murphy, chairman of Highbridge Chamber of Trade, said the road is 'dangerous' and urged councillors to object to the plans after being a victim of a crash on the street.

"Three weeks ago I was driving along Walrow Road at a slow speed when a car tore round the bend and smashed straight into me," Mr Murphy said.

"I was fine but my car was written off.

"I ended up speaking to a resident nearby and he told me it had been the ninth accident this year showing how dangerous the road is. It is a real concern."

Sedgemoor District councillor Roger Keen, said a railway bridge on Walrow Road is 'dangerously unsuitable' for heavy HGV traffic and has fears the bridge would not be able to cope with an increase in traffic.

"The railway bridge has a three tonne limit so all site traffic would only be able to gain access via Walrow," Cllr Keen said.

"There is also another bridge at the industrial estate and that was designated as weak but as the railway bridge already had a weight limit, nothing was done at the time."

Councillor Louise Parkin, who lives near Walrow, echoed Cllr Keen's comments and said extra vehicles which would come as a result of the development would be 'an accident waiting to happen.'

"I think Highways must object to this," Cllr Parkin said.

"We went for a site visit and were shocked at how close everything was and how dangerous everything will be if this is approved.

"It is overdevelopment to the extreme."

Councillor Nick Tolley said: "It is a Playstation Game at 8am on Walrow, you have to get to level two around the bridge before you can get to level three and go over it.

"It is overdevelopment, I am so strong on this access point and that is the main reason I am objecting to this."

Councillors unanimously voted to opposed the plans but a final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.