PLANS for 10 dwellings in the centre of Chard have caused outrage among local residents.

These include a mixture of two bed houses and one bed flats with private gardens to the rear of 27 Fore Street.

The plans is for the development to be a 'car free' site, as it is in the centre of town, with an electric gate for pedestrians to keep the site secure.

The application states: "This development will provide much needed housing within the centre of Chard.

"Dwellings will encompass the characteristics of the local area through its quality of design, proposed materials and use of finishes while also carefully considering the neighbouring amenity spaces to ensure their level of privacy has been retained.

"As well as ensuring the privacy of the future occupiers of these dwellings."

Chard & Ilminster News: PLANS: For the rear of Fore Street in Chard. Pic: Trevor J Spurway Architects

But residents in Olsters Yard are unhappy about the planning application.

They believe the area will be too crowded with ten homes, are concerned that trees have already been removed from the site - even though planning permission hasn't been granted.

Sarah Martin, who lives next to the site, said: "I am totally devastated - not just as the view and noise that will probably be unbearable - but a vast number of trees and wildlife have been removed before planning has even been accepted.

"The plans will include 10 dwellings squeezed into a small area literally over my wall - not to me for the purpose of housing but for the the soul purpose of a quick buck.

"Once again wildlife takes second place as I feel there is enough housing in Chard at the moment."

An application to fell the trees on the site was submitted last year and approved in October 2020.

Another concern is the access to the site. This will be through an existing car park to the east of the proposed development.

Timothy Lloyd-Foxe, from Olsters Yard, added: "Proposed site access is via Essex Close, partially single track and then across a busy public car park. How will site traffic be safely managed and where will the lorries turn around?

"This access crosses one of the most used pedestrian routes for the Holyrood School children; how will they be safeguarded?

"Proposed development is to be pedestrian only and yet there are no footpaths to serve the site only access being across a busy public car park."

The planning application will now go before South Somerset District Council (SSDC).

To view and comment on the planning application visit the SSDC website, using the reference 20/03315/FUL.