RESIDENTS have suggested that if a potential new housing development in Ilminster went ahead their gardens would become similar to a prison exercise yard.' A number of householders converged on Ilminster Town Council's planning committee last week to voice their concerns about a possible 17-home project on land in Station Road.

They were unhappy about the proposals earmarked for the G.A. Vowles Ltd agricultural machinery depot put forward by Brookvale Homes.

They are particularly worried about a large brick wall that would be built at the end of their gardens in Home Farm Way.

One resident said: "There are just too many properties included in this plan and they would overlook existing bungalows. It would make our gardens look like a prison exercise yard."

And another resident described the scheme as diabolical' and would devalue existing homes.

Committee chairman, Cllr Gordon Childs, said: "It looks very much like an over-development."

Cllr David Miller added: "The whole thing is ghastly."

But town council clerk, Steve Fisher, told councillors that the principle of housing on the site would be difficult to resist' as there were other developments going on in the Station Road area.

Councillors rejected the proposal because of a site over-development, lack of parking facilities and that the new homes would have an impact on neighbours.

They had been told that it was expected that the existing business on the site would move to new purpose-built facilities elsewhere in the area.

A spokesman for the developers has said the development would provide much-needed and desired' accommodation in the area.