PLANNERS have recommended that proposals to build 110 homes on land at Crimchard should be rejected.

Chard Town Council’s planning and highways committee met at the Guildhall on Monday evening to discuss the proposals from David Wilson Homes.

A large group of people attended the meeting to object to the scheme, which is on part of the same Mount Hindrance site as proposals for a much larger development by Mactaggart & Mickel.

John Gallagher, of the Mount Hindrance Action Group, said the area was not included in the Chard Regeneration Scheme which forms the Local Plan.

He argued that if David Wilson Homes was given the go-ahead it “opens the door” to other developments outside the agreed Local Plan for future housing growth.

Councillors agreed with the sentiments echoed and objected to the application.

Committee chairman Cllr Tony Prior said: “I’m sick and tired of developers trying to wreck the Chard Regeneration Scheme.

“Developers are trying to drive a coach and horses through the plan.”

No representative from David Wilson Homes spoke at Monday’s meeting, but a spokesman for the developers said in a report that there would be a housing shortfall in Chard and land at Crimchard could help to meet that need.

Andrew Kenna, of AP Planning, on behalf of the applicants, said in a report: “David Wilson Homes wishes to make it clear that it has NO contractual relationship with Mactaggart & Mickel."

Though the Chard councillors recommended that the application be refused, the final decision rests with South Somerset District Council.

NOTE: This story appears in today's edition of the News saying that David Wilson Homes has a contractural relationship with Mactaggart & Mickel - we wish to point out that they do not.