CONCERN has been raised over whether the sewers in Axbridge will be able to cope with the extra houses being built in the town. Four new dwellings and ten flats are being built in Moorland Street, but the sewer outside the development already overflows du

CONCERN has been raised over whether the sewers in Axbridge will be able to cope with the extra houses being built in the town.Four new dwellings and ten flats are being built in Moorland Street, but the sewer outside the development already overflows during heavy rain, spurting raw sewage into the street, and residents are concerned this will happen more frequently when the new properties are finished.Liz Scott, Sedgemoor district councillor and owner of Moorland Farm near the development, said: "The sewer discharges when we get heavy rain and it's been running down the road."During August when we had a lot of rain it happened two or three times a week."Everyone is worried when they link the four dwellings into it the sewer won't be able to cope with it."There's a separate system for sewage and storm water but storm water is going into the sewer."Last time it happened it was the school holidays and the children thought it was fun playing around in it."Wessex Water is responsible for the sewer and is regularly called out to clear up the road.After many complaints from residents living nearby, Axbridge Town Council's planning committee has decided to ask Wessex Water to inspect the sewer to find out if it will cope with the extra homes. The development has caused uproar in the town as many residents feel the high rise building is out of keeping with the rest of the homes and should never have been allowed to be built.Axbridge Town Council opposed the development and many residents objected to the proposal on the grounds that there will be extra traffic, parking issues, that it is out of keeping with the area and it would put added pressure on the sewer system.Sedgemoor District Council's development control committee gave Chewey Homes the go-ahead to build a three storey building comprising four dwellings and 10 flats.Axbridge Town Council has told residents to write to the Local Government Ombudsman to ask why the application was granted, despite local opposition, and members are also requesting a site visit.Councillor Pauline Ham said: "In reality we've now got the building. We've got to kick up a fuss so we don't get anything that dire again. It's amazing it went through.