REISDENTS are concerned about planned proposals to build a new car park and eight affordable homes in Tatworth.

Dorchester-based Hastoe Housing Association, in conjunction with the Community Council for Somerset, are preparing to bid for Government money to fund the envisaged housing project opposite Springfield Terrace.

While Tatworth and Forton Parish Council is looking at the possibility of creating a car park in a corner of the proposed site so people can park off the main road while visiting local amenities to improve highway safety.

But residents converged on Tatworth Memorial Hall for last week's parish council meeting where Felix Marsh, of the Community Council, gave people an update on the latest news regarding the proposals.

Resident Ian Evans, speaking on behalf of neighbours, said that they had a number of concerns with the development and the planned car park including anti-social behaviour, vandalism and flooding and sewerage requirements.

"We did our own traffic survey and we think people are still going to park on the road," he said. "I don't think people will use the car park if they just want to pop into the shop to get a paper or a bottle of milk."

Mr Marsh was delighted' that so many residents attended the meeting because he said it was important to get everyone on side at an early stage.

"At the moment this is just a proposal, but this is the favoured site in the village following a survey we carried out in January," he said.

"But I'm delighted so many people have come out tonight for this meeting - it is excellent and that is local democracy.

"I can only stress that we are still only at the proposal stage and we've only come up with our first draft of the scheme. If it means we have to ten drafts to make sure we get the right sustainable project we will do ten drafts.

"We aren't going to be dictating on this as we want to work with the parish council and make sure people are happy with it."

Mr Marsh said that a survey carried out in 2005 showed there was a clear need' for more affordable housing in the parish.

He explained that funding was still sought for the development from the Housing Corporation, while the landowner of the proposed site was still considering the initiative.

The development would include two and three bedroom semi-detached homes with decent sized' gardens.