Woman says plan for new houses preventing home sale

An 86-year-old woman says she cannot sell her house because it is too close to the access of 160 planned new homes.

JD Clark wants to build the new estate in Brooks Road in Street, Somerset, as part of wider plans to deliver 400 new homes and new access roads.

But local resident Rosalie Howard, who wants to sell her house and move closer to her family, said her estate agent told her viewings are "completely and negatively impacted" by the exit of the proposed development as it is opposite her home.

Howard, who was among a number of residents who voiced their opposition at a Somerset Council meeting earlier this month, said she was "devastated".

The council's planning committee east agreed to delay a decision on the plans to see if concerns over the access and traffic levels, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Howard told the meeting on 6 October: "I'm at a point in time when my remaining family members wish me to live nearer to them in Surrey. So I put my truly lovely house on the market.

"Now my estate agent says that viewings are completely and negatively impacted by the exit of this planned development being directly opposite my house. I am devastated."

Robert Healey, who also lives near the site, claimed that the Clarks estate had done little to no maintenance work on the site, putting locals at greater risk of flooding.

He said: "The trees have been falling down and branches have been coming down over the years, which has taken down telephone lines and power lines.

"There's been no maintenance of the ditches and drains, which has caused serious flooding, so I have had to clear as well. I'm now too old to do it this year."

Alison Campbell, another local resident, said the community "doesn't have the infrastructure to cope" with more people.

Councillor Claire Sully said in the meeting: "I've never heard such heartfelt public feedback on an application, it was eloquent and clear.

"The reality of traffic can be an absolute nightmare for people that live around these new developments. I think the location is inappropriate at this scale."

Of the 160 homes planned for the site, 48 will be affordable, and the development will also provide almost £98,000 for local NHS services, nearly £962,000 towards enhancing or expanding local schools, and more than £72,500 for new play areas and improvements to public open space.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.