PLANS to build 14 new affordable homes in Pill have caused a stir among residents already plagued by traffic in their busy road.

Knightstone Housing Association wants to build eight two-bedroom flats and six two or three-bedroom houses at 1 Station Road to provide homes for people aged over 50.

However, a group of people living nearby have lodged some fierce objections against the plans.

At a meeting of Pill and Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council, they voiced their concerns, which include the amount of traffic which could be generated at the site and the density of the buildings planned for it.

Simon Chandler, who lives directly opposite, said: “We are concerned because of the traffic situation in Station Road, that is both the speed of traffic and the number of cars going along there, and the fact there will be an additional number of vehicle movements from the 20 parking spaces at the development.”

Another resident, Lorna Hocking said: “Pill already has a housing density which is four times that of Ham Green, 26 times that of Easton-in-Gordano and 43 times the Leigh Court area.

“We don’t object to the site being developed, we just object to the density of the plans.”

Other concerns about the application, which was first submitted in September but had to be resubmitted in May following a mistake regarding the site boundary, include the fact residents believe Pill already has enough affordable housing. They have also raised concerns that some details in the application, and results from a consultation held in 2009, are out of date.

Knightstone director of development Mike Day said: “We corrected an anomaly at the rear of the site due to a minor difference between the title plan and the physical site boundary. Additional documents were also submitted to address new policies including the local Core Strategy.

“Following consultation with residents we were able to include some of their comments in the final design. Further to this consultation, we’ve met on site with the local councillor and parish council to discuss the current design.

“Our proposed development has more than 40 per cent less homes than two previously rejected applications and includes off street parking. Road improvements will be made adjacent to the site entrance to improve safety.”

Pill and Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council initially raised no objections to the proposals but at its meeting on June 25 decided to request that its comments be disregarded so it can reconsider its stance.

The planning application is due to be considered by North Somerset Council’s north area planning committee, which next meets on July 12.