A decision on plans for up to 60 homes at Westbury-sub-Mendip has been delayed after Somerset councillors called for an independent road safety assessment.

Somerset Council's Planning Committee East considered the outline application for land south of Roughmoor Lane on Tuesday, 7 July. Members voted by six votes to five, with one abstention, to defer the application for up to six months.

The deferral will allow the council to commission an independent assessment of pedestrian safety across the A371 and review highway information already submitted with the application.

The scheme proposes up to 60 homes, land for community use, public open space, landscaping, access, infrastructure and engineering works. The application is in outline, with access considered at this stage and other details reserved for later approval.

It is the second time the application has been deferred. In May, councillors delayed the scheme and asked for further work on pedestrian safety across the A371, the scale and density of the development, and possible active travel links.

The site lies on the south-western edge of Westbury-sub-Mendip, outside but next to the village development boundary. It is allocated for housing in the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which identifies the land for a minimum of 40 homes.

Westbury-sub-Mendip Parish Council has objected to the plans. Councillors were told at the May committee meeting that 57 letters of objection had been received, raising issues including highway safety, ecology, visual impact and drainage.

Pedestrian safety across the A371 has been a central issue during the committee discussions. Members have questioned whether proposed highway measures would be sufficient, including concerns about a possible 20mph speed limit and whether it would be effective or enforceable.

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Councillors have also raised the possibility of active travel links from the site, including a route towards the Strawberry Line. The committee was previously told the existing link is a pedestrian footpath rather than a clear multi-user route for cyclists or people with mobility issues.

Planning officers have told councillors that the land is allocated for housing and that the proposed number of homes is considered acceptable in planning terms. The planning agent has said the scheme would include 30 per cent affordable housing and help meet local housing need.

The latest deferral means the application has not been approved or refused. It remains live while Somerset Council seeks independent advice on pedestrian safety across the A371.

Once the additional work has been completed, the application is expected to return to councillors for a decision.

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