THERE are concerns that naming a new road Heron Close in Chard could confuse emergency services because streets in the same area are named after trees and shrubs.

Chard Town Council’s planning and highways committee was last week asked for its views on calling the new development, off Touches Lane, Heron Close.

But Cllr Garry Shortland said there were a lot of streets in the area with a floral theme and 'then we’d have Heron Close'.

Existing streets in the area close to the Chard Reservoir Nature Reserve include Bracken Way, Barberry Drive and Foxglove Way.

Cllr Garry Shortland said: “Emergency services prefer to have theme names all together – it makes it easier for them when responding to emergencies,” he said.

But he added: “I have nothing against Heron Close.”

The Mayor, Cllr Dave Bulmer, said: “The rationale is very pertinent.

"We don’t want a mish-mash of names.”

South Somerset District Council is the street naming and numbering authority.