PLANS for 72 new homes on land near North Petherton Rugby Club look set for approval later this month.

Proposals put forward by developer Persimmon Severn Valley for 72 homes on land east of Taunton Road, adjacent to the rugby club, will go before Sedgemoor District Council’s development committee on Tuesday, October 23 at Bridgwater House, and the council’s planning officers have recommended that the plans be given the green light.

The plans also include public open space and formation of a new access junction off the A38.

However North Petherton Town Council is objecting to the submitted plan on four issues, saying the public consultation did not include the rugby club itself, that there is insufficient open space, that the site would be overdeveloped and that the site needs a feeder road through to North Newton Road to be in line with the longer term development plan for North Petherton.

The plans also received 11 letters of objection from residents who raised concerns over the impact of additional congestion on the A38, impact on car parking for the rugby club on match days, and concerns over insufficient infrastructure to deal with the extra people such as school places.

However Sedgemoor District Council’s planning officers see no significant reason the proposal should be turned down, and recommend approval provided at least 30 per cent of the new dwellings are affordable housing; deliver further travel planning measures, and secure the completion of a primary access road through the entire development among other conditions.

To view the plans visit SDC’s website and search for the planning application 37/18/00003.