AROUND 50 houses with additional employment development are being proposed in a Somerset town.

The owner of fields south of Houlgate Way in Axbridge wishes to build on the site.

But Axbridge Town Council had concerns that it was not aware of the plans before an affordable housing consultation was held.

A council spokesman said: “Sedgemoor District Council held an affordable housing consultation in Axbridge Town Hall recently, which left the impression that it was promoting the development.

“Town councillors expressed serious concerns about the process being undertaken, about which the town council was not informed, especially as a neighbourhood plan was currently being produced.

“As a result, an informal meeting was held between the town council and officers from Sedgemoor.

“Members had a constructive meeting with Sedgemoor District Council who have assured the town council that it will be consulted on any future proposals for development and that nothing further will happen until the results of the current housing needs survey are known.

“Any development would require a full planning application and would therefore be discussed by the town council in detail.”

No planning application has yet been submitted. However, an agent has held preliminary consultations with Sedgemoor officers about the possibility of development.

The results of the housing needs survey will be taken into account ahead of a decision.