RESIDENTS on a Minehead estate have lost their battle to prevent construction lorries using their roads for a new-build development that could take up to three years to complete.

West Somerset Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead to a scheme from developers Strongvox to build a total of 37 new homes on a 1.8-hectare site at Ellicombe.

Around 50 objectors turned up at the committee's meeting last Thursday to demonstrate their opposition to the scheme.

Councillors voted seven to four to approve the plans but rejected the applicant's bid to use Ellicombe Lane as a temporary construction access, opting for a route through Ellicombe Meadow, as suggested by highways chiefs.

In all, 26 houses and three bungalows will be built, along with eight one-bedroom apartments, which will form the affordable on-site element of the scheme, coupled with a further financial contribution for additional affordable homes off site.

Planning officer Ken Taylor told the committee that the site was just outside Minehead's development line but because the council was currently unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply the scheme had to be judged on its sustainability.

And Mr Taylor said it was sustainable in transport terms, being within walking or cycling distance of local amenities.

Added to that, there was a significant amount of housing need in Minehead.

The scheme sparked a total of at least 23 objections, coupled with a 63-signature petition from Ellicombe Meadow residents, unhappy with the proposed permanent access to the new homes through their estate, as well as the temporary construction access.

Other objectors included countryside and conservation campaigning groups and Minehead Town Council, although the Exmoor National Park Authority withdrew its concerns ahead of the meeting.

Thelma Frost, a founder member of the West Somerset Watchdogs, which was set up to fight the original Ellicombe Meadow development, said the application was driven purely by the greed of the landowner, the developers and the district council.

Mrs Frost said the new homes were not needed as there was a "plethora of properties" currently on the market in the town.

It would lead to the destruction of a landscape of the highest character.

"There is huge opposition to this development - it is an act of vandalism and is indefensible," she said.

Ellicombe Meadow resident Siobhan Hutchings said residents could face up to three years of unacceptable noise and danger for a development that was not needed.

Mrs Hutchings said Ellicombe Meadow was totally unsuitable for construction traffic, with a tight and dangerous left-hand bend, but Ellicombe Lane was equally unsuitable.

She said there were more than 50 letters on the council's website, objecting to the scheme.

"The only people in favour are the owners of the land and the developers - please consider the impact on residents."

Keith Marsh, owner of grade two listed Ellicombe Manor, said his property dated back to 1590 and the surrounding hedgerows were hundreds of years old.

Mr Marsh disputed that the development would involve between 80 to 100 construction vehicle movements in total, claiming local builders estimated the figure would be nearer 400.

"Planning officers are trying to justify the unjustifiable," he said.

Local resident Ken Higgins claimed the housing need was "a complete myth".

"There are something like 180 three and four-bedroom houses in the town for sale," he said.

"Why are we considering putting houses on what is a very pleasant meadow with beautiful views?

"This is only going to benefit Strongvox - not Minehead or its residents."

Fellow Ellicombe Meadow resident Ken Williams raised concerns about the impact on the A39 from the increased traffic coming out onto Bircham Road - an already seriously congested arterial road.

"The A39 and the A358 must arguably be the most congested roads in West Somerset," he said.

Mr Williams said groups and organisations such as the Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) and Minehead Town Council were opposed to the development.

"And the residents of Ellicombe Meadow are going to have their environment destroyed for two to three years."

Councillors were told that discussions had taken place with Minehead Rugby Club over the possible use of their land for construction vehicles but no agreement had been reached.

A spokesman for Strongvox told the meeting the company had consulted with planning officers and the local community from the outset.

She said construction traffic would be carefully managed to minimise disruption, with Strongvox agreeing to a management plan.

"No adverse impacts have been identified by officers.

"This application represents a sustainable development."

Local ward member Paul Grierson said a great number of concerns had been raised by those opposed to the scheme but he had to be fair to Strongvox, who had spent a deal of time and effort to mitigate the impact.

Cllr Doug Ross said with West Somerset being told 2,900 new homes had to be built in the district within under the new local plan, it was very difficult to resist the development.

He questioned the wisdom of building three to four-bedroom homes when it appeared to be difficult to sell them but said the council was not in a position to dictate what developers built.

And he described the level of affordable homes financial contribution as "totally inadequate" as it was based on one-bedroom apartments rather than four-bedroom houses.

Cllr Ross also raised concerns about the impact on the landscape and wildlife, claiming scant regard had been paid to biodiversity.

And he said using Ellicombe Meadow as a construction access would be "very difficult" for residents.

Councillors were told by planning manager Andrew Goodchild that Ellicombe Lane could only be used for construction traffic for half the development.

"Once the apartments have been built - and they have to be built when 50 per cent of the other homes have been built - the construction traffic would have to come via Ellicombe Meadow," he said.

Cllr Les Smith questioned the sustainability of the development and said residents of the new homes would not be jumping on their bicycles for a shopping trip to Tesco's.

"They are going to use their cars so the principle of sustainability doesn't stand up."

Cllr Keith Turner responded to claims that the council's support for the scheme was "Council Tax-driven".

"West Somerset only retains nine per cent of Council Tax bills," he said.

"As for there already being houses of this size for sale, there are always houses for sale.

"This is a small field so the loss of it as agricultural land is insignificant."