PLANS to develop 150 new homes on the site of Ilminster’s old Horlick’s factory could already be facing a massive redesign after being labelled a ‘significant flood risk’.

A bid to develop the site, which lies to the north and south Station Road, near Powrmatic, has faced opposition from some residents.

It has also come under fire in a flood risk report, which has declared the entire site is a ‘high’ risk of flooding.

There is also an increased risk of flooding for neighbours of the proposed development.

The outline application was submitted by Dairygold for land at Horlicks Farm, on the western edge of Ilminster.

As well as 150 houses to the north of the site, it is also planned for there to be a number of commercial buildings to the south of Station Road, including a motor dealership.

The flood risk assessment was prepared by Agricola Properties Ltd.

A spokesman said: “The River Isle is the closest watercourse to the Site which flows along the western boundary of each of the development parcels.

“According to the Environment Agency Flood Map (Figure 1-1), the River Isle presents a significant risk to the site.”

The report also stated that there have been more than 900 flooding events recorded in Somerset.

“The Ilminster area is shown to be potentially at risk from both surface water and groundwater flooding,” the spokesman added.

“Fluvial flooding typically occurs when excessive rainfall causes a river to exceed its capacity.

“As the site is almost entirely encompassed within Flood Zone 3, there is an inherent risk that displacement of floodwater may result in a reduction of the developable land and/or increase flood risk elsewhere.”

For the plans to be approved, Agricola advised reducing flow through the Station Road culvert, a significant redesign of the masterplan, and more.

One Ilminster resident said: “The proposed site for 150 dwellings floods from the River Isle. In the past, both residential sites have been severely flooded and are now unable to get flood cover on our insurance. All 63 park homes are therefore at risk of being flooded if the proposed buildings go ahead.”