A developer's second attempt to turn a farmyard into housing in Prestleigh has been thrown out — even after halving the number of barns in the scheme.

Manor Farm Mendip Ltd tried to convert four barns at Manor Farm into ten homes under fast-track Class Q rules, following an earlier refusal for trying to convert eight. But Somerset Council has refused the revised bid (ref. 2025/1661/PAA), saying the access is unsafe and the new homes would be too close to working farm buildings.

The plan would have delivered ten single-storey homes using four modern barns on the 124-acre site, opposite the Bath & West Showground. The applicant argued that all the buildings were structurally sound, with no demolition, extensions or new build — just recladding, windows, doors and internal layout changes.

Class Q rules allow agricultural buildings to be converted to homes without full planning permission, but only if strict limits are followed. The total number of homes must not exceed ten, and the buildings must already be suitable for conversion without major structural work.

A structural report and bat survey backed the scheme, and the developer said the new access layout could be delivered without going beyond the farm's boundaries.

But Somerset Council said the access works went too far to qualify under Class Q and warned that the location of the homes would leave future residents exposed to noise, odours and disturbance from the still-operational farm.

It's the second rejection for the site in a year. The developer may appeal or submit a fresh scheme.

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