Peasedown St John's two local Councillors have announced that they oppose a plan to build almost ninety homes on a green field in the village.

Their decision is a major boost for Residents Protecting Peasedown (RPP), a community group campaigning against the proposed housing estate.

Edward Ware Homes wants to build 89 new homes on a field in Peasedown that is less than three football pitches in size. The field, off Greenlands Road, is on a steep hill and linked to the village high street by narrow roads.

Sarah Bevan and Nathan Hartley say they are concerned that the proposed estate will have a negative impact on traffic, parking, village infrastructure and important local services, such as the school, doctors' surgery and dentist.

They also point out that the field is outside of the housing development boundary, the area of the village identified by Bath and North East Somerset Council as appropriate for new housing.

Sarah Bevan and Nathan Hartley said: "Peasedown St John has already shouldered a large number of new homes over the last twenty years and we are deeply concerned about the impact this proposed housing estate will have on the village. We are concerned, among other issues, about the traffic problems it may create. Greenlands Road is very heavily used by vehicles and the junction leading onto Bath Road is already problematic with the present levels of traffic."

The Councillors say they will request that any planning application for the site is heard by Bath and North East Somerset Council's Development Control Committee. This will mean any decision is made in a public forum and will allow residents to attend and have their say.

Petra Schofield, from Residents Protecting Peasedown, said: "We are very pleased that Nathan and Sarah have decided to oppose the plan. They have seen first-hand the heartfelt opposition to this proposal among many local people and, like them, are concerned about the impact it will have on the village."