Road fears overruled as homes plans get backing

Hotel owner Stuart Shepherd has resubmitted a scheme he withdrew in February following complaints from town and district councillors.

Architects told Ilminster Town Council's planning committee last night the new scheme was radically changed and would blend with the area.

But residents of Lower Meadow fear lorries using their estate to access the construction site could damage the road and create parking chaos.

One resident, David Turner, told councillors: "All the houses on our crescent in Lower Meadow are starting to subside. Six houses have cracks starting to appear.

"Eight-wheel lorries coming along are going to bring our houses down."

Mr Turner also felt the proposed houses would not fit with the Shrubbery and was concerned drainage could run into his back garden, causing flooding problems.

Cllr Richard Jacobs said he had spoken to other local residents worried about the impact of site traffic.

He said: "I'm not convinced those trucks can get to that site without damaging the road."

But Justin Paterson, of architects Boon Brown, said a sharp gradient would prevent workers accessing the site from Station Road, leaving Lower Meadow the only alternative.

Mr Paterson said any problems with the road would be dealt with during construction.

He also said by removing the crescent layout of houses from the withdrawn scheme, he had tailor-made a development to match the Shrubbery's history.

He said: "We've treated it like a listed building even though it's not. All the buildings will be made of natural stone, all the roofs will be of natural state and all the windows made from timber."

Councillors unanimously backed the application, which South Somerset District Council will now determine.

Tell us what you think - use the comment form below. You can also view the plans for yourself by clicking on the link below and typing in the planning application number 07/02772/OUT.