CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 248 homes and a new community building in Highbridge have been submitted.

Bickenhall Consulting submitted the plan to Sedgemoor District Council to build 248 homes on land to the East of Isleport Lane near Isleport Business Park.

The developer plans to build 24 one bedroom apartments, 68 two bedroom apartments, 31 two bedroom houses, 82 three bedroom houses and 43 four bedroom houses and 178 garages on the 12.78 hectare site.

The plans also include a large play area, several small play areas and new primary and emergency access points from Isleport Lane.

A spokesman for Bickenhall Consulting, said: "This development adjacent to Isleport Lane is significant to the surrounding area and will make a valuable contribution to the housing stock, the need for which has been identified in the Local Plan.

"The development offers a wide range of opportunities to incorporate sustainable design and long lasting development offering a good quality living environment for residents.

"The new development, proposed with illustrative layouts will form a sustainable residential community, providing a mix of unit types able to accommodate a wide cross section of residents, able to benefit from and contribute towards the existing Highbridge community."

More than 70 people attended a consultation event hosted by Bickenhall Consulting in November 2018 and residents expressed concerns about traffic congestion, access and the impact the development could have on public services.

Mike Murphy, chairman of Highbridge Chamber of Trade, said he has concerns the development will be too close to the motorway.

He said: "I am concerned about the proposed development because is located so close to the M5 and it may bring excessive noise.

"There are a lot of three storey townhouses proposed with this development so the developer would need to make sure they install thermal fencing to alleviate this.

"I like the layout of the proposed development. The houses have been designed nicely but we will have to wait and see what happens.

"Thermal fencing is expensive and not a developers want to use it because of that but if they install thermal fencing it will be a good thing."

Comments are welcome on the application until February 8.

For details or to comment on the application visit sedgemoor.gov/planning and type in reference 11/19/00003.