DEVELOPERS have met with local councillors to discuss plans for a 161-home development in Wellington behind the Lidl supermarket store.

A consultation is underway with Carney Sweeney acting on behalf of Bloor Homes and representatives gave a presentation at Wellington Town Council’s monthly meeting on Monday, September 1.

Outline planning permission for up to 200 homes being built at the site – on land north of Taunton Road at Longforth Park - has already been obtained and now the developers are putting together a reserved matter application which will go into more detail about the scheme.

The main spine road going up through the new estate will come from the road already used for the entrance to the Lidl store.

Councillors said that work seemed to have already been started on making alterations to the junction.

It was explained that the developers had made Lidl get contractors to carry out improvements to that stretch of road to bring it up to the pre-agreed standards.

Cllr Keith Wheatley added: “Well done to holding their feet to the fire.”

A representative of the developers responded: “It will be us who is left holding the baby at the end of the day, so we need to get it right.”

Cllr Mike McGuffie did, however, say he had misgivings about the Lidl junction with Nynehead Road.

“The Lidl junction is not nice,” he said. “I think there should be a roundabout.”

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, aired her concerns about traffic speeds and was also disappointed the plans did not include affordable housing.

Robin Upton, director of planning for Carney Sweeney, said Bloor Homes would – as part of the development approval – be contributing just £1.4-million towards supporting local services and facilities.

This includes £573,620 towards walking and cycling links in the development area and a further £573,000 for education.