REVISED plans for up to 160 new homes in Cannington have been put forward by Strongvox Homes before the village’s neighbourhood plan can come into force.

The company is currently building out its Cricketer Farm development on the A39 in Nether Stowey, with the first 109 homes nearly finished and planning permission in place for another 58 nearby.

Taunton-based Strongvox also initially put forward plans in January, 2014, for 160 new homes on 22 acres of land covering three agricultural fields alongside the A39 Cannington by-pass.

Now, it has amended its Cannington plans with Somerset Council expected to make a decision later this year.

The site, just a third of a mile from the centre of Cannington, is outside the current development limit for the village and is bordered by Sandy Lane to the north, Chad’s Hill to the east, and Withiel Drive to the south.

Chris Marsh, of Pegasus Planning, representing Strongvox, said Cannington’s neighbourhood plan was still at an ‘extremely early stage in preparation’ and therefore ‘carries very limited weight in decision making’ on planning applications.

Mr Marsh said in any case the emerging neighbourhood plan did not seek to allocate land for housing development, nor did it seek to alter the existing settlement boundaries.

A new local plan was being prepared by Somerset Council but was not expected to be in force until April, 2028.

Site access will be from an existing spur off Brymore Way, with the development linking to the cycle lines which run along the road toward the A39 and an existing public right of way to Chad’s Hill being maintained.

An emergency vehicle access will be created off Withiel Drive, which will be resurfaced and remodelled to make it easier for cyclists to travel from the new homes to shops and other facilities in High Street.

The new properties will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, including 48 affordable homes.

Mr Marsh said: “Cannington provides numerous day-to-day services and facilities including a health centre, convenience store, public houses, village hall, primary school, golf course, cricket club, churches, and play facilities, promoting self-containment and a defined local resident community within the village.

“The proposals will not compromise the availability of local job opportunities and, in terms of their long-term effects, will increase local spending power through new occupiers and create limited local new jobs in maintaining properties, landscaping, etc.

“During the construction period, the proposals are anticipated to support the employment of 496 people through direct and indirect jobs.”

Pegasus said the development would maintain a view through the new houses to keep a line of sight and frame Cannington’s 14th century St Mary’s Church tower so it could be appreciated from public space.

A spokesperson for Focus on Design consultancy said Strongvox held an online public consultation for villagers to feedback their views and also attended a parish council meeting to explain the proposed development.

They said advice had been taken from planning officers at the former Sedgemoor District Council who had been ‘broadly supportive of the key principles’.