Shepton Mallet councillor Bente Height has raised concerns over Somerset Council's plan to buy up to 15 new homes for use as emergency accommodation.

Cllr Height, who leads the Reform UK opposition group, told a full council meeting in Bridgwater that residents in Shepton Mallet feared private tenants could be "kicked out" to make way for homeless families.

She said: "I do not want to see any private landlords getting money, then kicking out their existing tenants and getting new ones in that are homeless. I want you to prove to me that this is not going to happen, because people in Shepton Mallet are deeply worried about this — because they are being kicked out."

Council leaders dismissed the claim, insisting the properties will be bought from developers on new housing schemes rather than taking over existing tenancies.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, said: "This is a unique opportunity to use surplus funds to acquire up to 15 properties, primarily through Section 106 agreements. We want to go out to developers who are building new build properties, and look to buy properties as affordable, social housing."

She added the £3.4m scheme would provide temporary accommodation for families who currently face months in B&Bs before later being reallocated as permanent social housing.

Cllr Sarah Wakefield, portfolio holder for adults services, housing and homelessness, said: "This won't undermine other people buying houses in Somerset. They are usually surplus to requirement on a development, where they perhaps haven't been able to sell them."

More local stories:

• Mobile phone thefts plunge in Somerset — but Shepton Mallet still leads in numbers

• Four candidates confirmed for Shepton Mallet East Ward by-election

Sign up to our free local newsletter. Our top stories in your inbox every Friday.

Reporting by: Daniel Mumby, LRDS.