opment in Watchet has finally won planning approval.

Somerset West and Taunton Council’s planning committee voted 7-3 to accept their planning officers’ recommendation to grant outline planning permission when it met in Williton last Thursday.

The application by Grass Roots Plannning of Bristol was for a ten-acre greenfield site on the eastern edge of Watchet, south of Doniford Road and Normandy Avenue.

At a previous meeting on October 3, councillors deferred a decision so that they could hold a site inspection. There were concerns about traffic and whether Watchet and Williton could cope with all the new homes being planned.

The site visit was held on October 14, and when they considered the plan again last Thursday, residents voiced fears ranging from the number of houses to be built to local services and traffic and road conditions.

Normandy Avenue resident Geoff Newland said inadequate public transport meant people would be unable to reach local facilities without putting themselves in danger.

“If I want to go to the doctor’s surgery in Williton, I will have to walk down a road with a 60mph speed limit,” he said. “Young mums with pushchairs will be scared stiff going down there.”

For the full report, buy tomorrow’s Free Press.