PEOPLE have given new and amended proposals for a housing development on the edge of Chard the same response as they did to the original proposals – widespread opposition.

Redrow Homes South-West have scaled down their proposed 63-home development on land at Snowdown Farm at the end of Mitchell Gardens in Chard to 60 in order to protect an active badgers’ sett.

But that has not swayed anybody on their opposition to the scheme. People living near to the site packed Monday night’s meeting of Chard Town Council’s planning and highways committee to once again object to the proposals.

They are concerned about the impact the development would have on their community, the increase in traffic, and the potential threat to existing wildlife.

Cllr Brennie Halse, who lives near the site, said: “I see Redrow have amended their plans from 63 houses to 60 – big deal!”

Councillors were insistent that, despite the new plans losing three homes, their original concerns still stood.

Cllr Martin Wale said: “The applicants have fiddled about with the badgers but the new plans haven’t done anything to address our original concerns.

“There is no difference other than the loss of a couple of houses.”

And Cllr Tony Prior said: “If Redrow think that badgers will stay away just because of a few fences being put in, they have another thing coming.”

The plan agents, Nathanial Lichfield & Partners, have said the scheme would make a “valuable contribution to the housing requirements of the town”.

The district council planning authority is expected to make a final decision on the application at its meeting next month.