RESIDENTS in Sandford have voiced objections at plans to build retirement flats and a care home in the village. Issues such as road safety, access to old railway buildings and the size of the development on land at the former Sandford Stone site were rai

RESIDENTS in Sandford have voiced objections at plans to build retirement flats and a care home in the village. Issues such as road safety, access to old railway buildings and the size of the development on land at the former Sandford Stone site were raised at a public meeting attended by villagers and North Somerset councillors.St Monica's Trust, the charity behind the proposed £23million development in Station Road, also hosted a site visit for North Somerset councillors who will decide whether to grant planning permission.Villager Keith Hewlett, of Roman Road, whose house backs on to the site, said at the meeting: "I am concerned with the scale of the care home which backs on to our property. We are still of the opinion that it is too large."St Monica's director, Gerald Lee, said that elderly residents in villages neighbouring Sandford would be welcome to use its facilities.He said: "Our meals are produced on a not-for-profit basis to encourage elderly people to get out of their homes and socialise together."Mr Lee also told residents they could have access to an indoor swimming pool, a gym and a hairdressing salon.The development will have its own GP so as not to burden local services but developers conceded that if people were ill they would need to go to Weston General Hospital.Previously, the plans were rejected by Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council which objected to the use of greenbelt land and raised concerns over the safety of pedestrians near the proposed entrance.After last week's meeting the planning committee chairman, Archie Forbes, said he was initially happy with some amendments which were made including plans for affordable housing, and the removal of car park spaces which would have been closed to residents in Roman Road.However, Cllr Forbes said the council still opposed building on greenfield landProposals will go before the next meeting of North Somerset Council's south area committee in July.