CREWKERNE residents applauded as councillors rejected plans for a major new housing development on the edge of the town.

James Tizzard of Land Value Alliances LLP applied to build 150 homes between Kithill and the railway line, at the southern edge of the town.

South Somerset District Council’s area west committee voted in August to refuse the plans, claiming it would create a “death trap” on the busy Cathole Bridge Road.

The council’s regulation committee – which has the final say on major housing developments – upheld this decision on Tuesday (September 17), prompting residents at the meeting to break out in applause.

To mitigate the extra traffic the housing would generate, Mr Tizzard proposed putting in a new junction, improving passing places and widening sections of Cathole Bridge Road where it was physically feasible.

But councillor Robin Pailthorpe – who represents Crewkerne – said he was doubtful whether this could be achieved.

He said: “I’ve travelled this road many, many times – if you manage to get from one end of the road to the other without having to pause because of a large vehicle coming at you, you’re very lucky.

“Because Crewkerne doesn’t have any roads that bypass it, this lane – and it is a lane – is the closest we have.

“Everyone avoids Crewkerne like the plague because of the traffic pressures already there.”

Charles Aslett from Crewkerne Town Council said: “The town itself is at breaking point.

“Whenever there are roadworks which require Cathole Bridge Road to be closed, the town centre grinds to a halt. It can take an hour to get around the one-way system.”

Steve Hooper, who lives 50 metres away from Cathole Bridge Road, said farm workers in the area were already finding it difficult to use the road.

He said: “Earlier this year, when the farmers were silaging, one of the contractors would park outside my house while the loaded vehicle was up near Maiden Beech Academy, and they would speak to each other via radio about when the road was free.”

Councillor Sue Osborne said the road had been a problem for decades, arguing the development would increase queues on the A30 from people trying to turn right.

She went on to say: “I’ve used some of the existing pull-in places and wondered whether I’m going to have the side of my car left, let alone my wing mirror. I cannot support this.”

Councillor Nick Colbert said refusing the plans was “an absolute no-brainer”, adding: “We’re seeing developments past all over the place that shouldn’t be – which wouldn’t be happening if we had a five-year land supply and a sensible housing target.”

The committee voted to refuse the plans by a margin of eight votes to two (with one abstention), prompting applause from residents in the public area.