DEVELOPMENT plans for 130 new homes on agricultural land on the edge of Wiveliscombe have met with fierce opposition from the town, after developers recently submitted an application.

A meeting on Monday (April 10) of Wiveliscombe Town Council drew up eight objections to the plan, while the town’s Civic and Historical Society last week drew up detailed objections, all of which have been lodged with Taunton Deane Borough Council.

The headteacher of Kingsmead School, Wiveliscombe Parish Council and a number of local residents have also strongly objected.

The outline planning application for up to 130 homes at North Street, Wiveliscombe, was submitted by Gladman Developments, part of a £200m Cheshire-based group.

Objectors say:

* The proposed homes lie within open countryside outside any settlement boundary and in conflict with Taunton Deane Borough Council’s Development Plan.

* Wiveliscombe has already more than met the council’s need identified for 200 new homes for the town to 2028.

* The proposed development would fundamentally change the town’s historic character, linking it with the surrounding rural villages of Langley Cross and Langley Marsh, and creating sprawl.

* There is not sufficient infrastructure and services in Wiveliscombe and the surrounding area to support the development.

* The increase in traffic would create yet further congestion in what has become a very congested town for driving and parking.

* It would add to the existing imbalance between jobs and homes within Wiveliscombe, creating increased use of cars, and carbon emissions.

* Increased traffic further creates potential danger for pedestrians – particularly cyclists and young people who travel to school on foot or by bicycle.

* The town’s schools are operating above capacity and this is set to worsen as already planned developments become a reality.

* Taunton Deane Borough Council has identified a five year deliverable supply of land with more than the required buffer, in line with National Planning Practice Guidance.

The cut-off date for public online consultation was Friday, April 14.

Gladman Developments said in its application it accepted this proposal was in conflict with certain policies in Taunton Deane Borough Council’s Development Plan, but there were other material considerations that override local and national policy.

It said there was a lack of a five-year housing land supply – under Government planning changes, councils must now show they have enough land to meet housing targets for the next five years or presume in favour of planning permission 0- and the council’s core strategy policy regarding housing was out of date as it predated the new requirements.

Full report in this week’s Free Press