CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 171 homes and a new primary school at Brue Farm in Highbridge have been supported by town councillors despite concerns about access in and out of the development.

Developer Barratt Homes is seeking planning permission to build 171 homes, a new primary school, a new roundabout and public open space at the site in Huntspill Road.

The site forms part of a larger area of land at Brue Farm outlined in Sedgemoor District Council’s Core Strategy for an urban extension to Highbridge with up to 550 homes planned.

At a meeting on Monday (February 25) Burnham and Highbridge Town Council’s planning committee discussed the developers plans to build two, three and four bedroom homes on the site and said they have concerns access in and out of the school site will be difficult if measures are not put in place to control traffic.

Cllr John Parkes, said: “It is pleasing to see the demands on Highbridge’s infrastructure finally being addressed here with a new school but when will it be built?

“Will it be when the first new home is built or when the last new home is built?

“And what about a secondary school as well to fully address local needs.”

Cllr Nick Tolley echoed Cllr Parkes’ comments and said while he has no issues with the layout of the site he has concerns about access in and out of the school once it is built.

He said: “I know the terrible trouble parents already have when picking up their children from school.

“Could we ask that there is some form of a one way system in the plans so once the school is built parents can get in and out safely rather than having to go through a busy T-junction.”

And Cllr Victoria Weavill said: “It seems to me that this is quite a bad place for the primary school

“There is going to be a lot of traffic going in and out of there and access will be difficult.”

But Cllr Peter Clayton said he has no issues with the application and voted to support the plans.

He said: “The number of houses which are going to be built there have already been agreed, 550 homes are going to be built at Brue Farm so that is not up for reconsideration here.

“I don’t see an awful lot wrong with the plans and have no real problem with the layout of the site, I would fully support it.”

Councillor also raised concerns about the 200 parking spaces allocated for the site and said they have fears traffic problems will increase in Highbridge as a result.

But Cllr Andy Brewer said while he has concerns about the amount of parking spaces and traffic coming in and out of the site the developer has met the required national standards for parking in their application.

Despite their concerns councillors voted to support the application but the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.

Comments are welcome on the application until March 5.

For details or to comment on the application visit sedgemoor.gov.uk/planning and quote reference 52/19/001.