THE developer for the controversial Old Horlicks site has said they are ‘well aware’ of the current problems with their plans after facing a flood of objections.

The application to build 150 homes north of Station Road, as well as a motor dealership and commercial buildings to the south was submitted last month.

Part of the application was a Flood Risk Assessment produced by AECOM on behalf of the site owner, Agricola Properties Ltd, which described the site as a ‘significant risk’.

Since then, objections have been lodged by residents, the town council, and the Lead Local Flood Authority.

One resident, whose home is near the site, said: “A lot of people here haven’t been able to get flood insurance since January 2013.

“The foundation of these houses is brick, but then the rest is all timber frame.

“Last time it flooded it got up to an inch below the wood. If it gets worse then our houses are just going to collapse.

“At the moment the farmer uses that field for maize or wheat, and that really soaks up the water.

“If you take that away and put roads and tarmac down, then where is the water going to go?”

The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has objected as a result of ‘outstanding flood risk issues and a consequent lack of drainage concept’.

The Environment Agency has also objected on flood risk grounds.

The EA statement added: “In order to pass the sequential test the applicant must demonstrate that there are no reasonably available sites in a lower flood risk area within the Local Authority area.”

Karl Scholz is an associate at developer Alder King.

He said: “The client and the wider consultant team is well aware of the results and recommendations of the FRA.

“We are also aware of the flooding concerns of the residents near the site, based on the well-attended public consultation event we held in Ilminster prior to submitting the application.

“We decided to submit the application in its current state to SSDC, in order to more positively involve the council in developing a flood mitigation solution for the site, and potentially the wider area.

“We are working in collaboration with our flood risk consultants (AECOM) to optimise the submitted masterplan.

“We will be exploring what solutions would result in achieving, at minimum, a net neutral effect on flood risk to third parties.

“This review process is ongoing and further information will be provided in due course as part of an addendum application submission to the council, which will be subject to a further round of public notification and consultation.”