PLANS to demolish a former mill building and replace it with nine homes in Wellington have been supported by local councillors.

Wellington Town Council’s planning committee met on April 7 where it discussed the planning application for the former Haymans Mill site in Payton Road, Westford.

Councillors were in general support of the application – albeit with concerns about highway safety at the junction of Rackfield and Payton Road.

Cllr Janet Lloyd said: “We supported this in October, but it’s come back to us because of the comments received from highways and the conservation officer.

“The highways have some concerns about the application, while the conservation officer is dead against it because they want to keep the mill as it is now.”

Cllr John Thorne said: “The highways report is very technical, but the junction there does need to be improved.

“As for the conservation officer’s remarks – the mill is basically a pile of bricks which would fall over if you pushed it.

“Admittedly, the mill is part of our heritage, but it is not worth saving now.”

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: “It would be a shame to lose something which is of heritage to our town, but we do need to increase housing in the town.”

Cllr Andy Govier said: “I agree with all the comments Cllr Thorne has made. That junction is extremely bad and there are a lot more vehicles coming up and down that road now.”

Cllr Mike McGuffie added: “On balance I don’t think it’s the right place for that amount of housing – it is over-development.”

A town council spokesman said: “The committee resolved to support the application. However, concerns were raised with the visibility splay at the junction of Rackfield and Payton Road and the impact that the increased traffic would have.”

A final decision rests with Somerset Council.