THE people of Watchet turned out in force on Monday night to vent their anger at the proposed £1 million housing development in Anchor Street for the homeless and needy.

More than 150 residents crammed into a stifling Methodist Church to hear what the representatives from West Somerset District Council and Signpost Housing Association had to say.

Dozens more - unable to get into the meeting because the venue was too small - congregated on the church driveway, straining to hear what was being said inside.

Even those packed inside the church had difficulty catching the words from the platform because of the lack of a microphone.

But the panel was left in no doubt as to the feeling in Watchet, taking a barrage of hard-hitting questions from the audience.

Many of the answers were met with roars of laughter and slow hand clapping while Watchet Town Council chairman Cllr David Banks, who presided over the meeting, tried to restore order.

While many were in favour of housing the homeless, hardly anyone wanted the development to be in Anchor Street.

And despite reassurances that the occupants of the units would be local people, the audience remained unconvinced that the housing would be free of "drug addicts, alcoholics and paedophiles" from out of the area.

Many thought the district council had already made up its mind and planning permission would be a mere formality.

One resident standing outside said: "What a stupid place to hold this meeting, I can't hear a word what is being said from out here.

"It's a waste of time us being here - they are not going to listen to our views "

The plans are for ten units of one, two and three bedroom homes and a community centre. One unit would be occupied by a disabled person from Minehead and a warden would also live on-site.

Moving people and families into the homes would unload a huge burden from the district council which currently pays for them stay in bed and breakfast accommodation.

But fears were raised that the already traffic-clogged Anchor Street would become even more congested with vehicles.

However, Signpost state that the development would include just two parking bays.

Already well over 200 signatures have been collected on a petition circulating the town in opposition to the development.

Janet Strong, of Swain Street, said Watchet people were very angry and thought that the methods adopted by the district council surrounding the proposals were "sneaky and underhand".

She added: "This whole idea has been pushed through with no consideration for the residents. The panel said they were listening - but whether they will do anything about it is another matter."

Mrs Strong said she feared for the safety of her 86-year-old husband, who is registered blind, with the additional traffic movements and poor access.

"Why should he, at his stage in life, have to put up with the increased traffic right outside our door and side entrance?

"The noise disturbance will cause devaluation of our home, a home that he should be proud of and feel safe to live in. This current proposal is totally nonsensical."

The issue of poor access for fire appliances was also raised, as were fears that schoolchildren's safety would be put at risk because they congregate nearby to catch the bus.

Businessman and town councillor Dave Westcott said he thought the project was a very good idea but Watchet was the wrong place to situate it.

"I think this project is first class, but I believe passionately that this is not the right place to build it.

"How can the council put it in Watchet when 99 per cent of the people don't want it here? What we would like to have is a nice big hall.

"West Somerset District Council is here to serve the people of Watchet and most of the time it does a good job. This is a marvellous scheme, but let's put it on a site in Dunster, Dulverton or Porlock."

Resident Bob Watts questioned whether it was worth gathering signatures for the petition if the district council was just going to ignore people's wishes.

Mr Watts was instrumental in collecting 2,000 signatures from residents firmly opposed to housing on the East Quay and he said at Monday's meeting that another 2,000 could easily be reached for this.

District council chief executive Tim Howes said the authority had identified a need in Watchet for people without homes.

"The people that need help are also from Watchet and the people with problems are from here and within the Watchet community," he said.

"I think there is an opportunity here to try to help those that are most vulnerable and what these people need is a facility like the Anchor Street development.

"I know what you are saying, that you don't want to help them, but there is definitely an opportunity here."

Cllr Jenny David, district council portfolio holder for housing, said funding to run the project would come from central and regional grants, Signpost and rents and fees.

The scheme would be managed by Signpost but the district council would own the community centre.

The council's cabinet has already agreed to the proposal in principle and earlier this month Watchet Town Council was given a presentation by district assistant chief executive Rod Latham.

Bill Ammis, of Signpost, said: "Nothing is cast in stone and this is an opportunity for your views. The community centre is open to discussion and people could help shape it."

The housing association's care partnership officer Sarah Turner said eight local people were on the waiting list. She assured the audience that Signpost had a policy of not allowing drug addicts to move into their homes.

"We have a strict policy and do not allow drug addicts, but I take issue with what everyone is saying that these people will have problems.

"There will be families, elderly, a disabled person and people from Watchet who need homes. They should be welcomed into the community."

The controversial project will be presented to the council's next cabinet meeting on July 9 and, if given backing, will then be put before the planning committee.