A councillor is calling for the former Greencore site in Evercreech to be handed over to a community interest company, after a second planning application by the current owners was refused by Mendip planners this week.

The controversial outline application for 120 homes on the former Greencore site prompted a wave of objections from local councillors, organisations and residents, who felt that the proposal "failed to respect the heritage of the site" and represented huge over-development for the size of the village.

It is the second application to develop the by site owners West Estates. The first application was refused with planners saying that the site was only big enough for 75 homes – but they ignored the advice and pressed on with this most recent application for 120 homes and a shop claiming that :"The application proposes an opportunity to deliver a high quality residential led development on a previously used derelict site, in a very sustainable location."

However, planners have again sided with the villagers and refused the application on several grounds, including:

–     Loss of employment land on an established employment site.

–     Failing to demonstrate an appreciation of the built and natural context of the locality.

–     Harm to the setting of nearby listed buildings and conservation area due to the proposed demolition of The Creamery buildings.

–     The cramped layout would result in an unacceptable living environment for future residents.

–     Insufficient information to demonstrate adequate drainage.

–     Failure to demonstrate that it would have an acceptable effect in terms of phosphate levels.

–     Highway safety concerns.

–     Failure to provide sufficient infrastructure (ie education, affordable housing, open space and a travel plan) to cope with the additional pressure generated by the development.

The news of the refusal has been welcomed by Evercreech councillor Barry O'Leary. He said: "The owner cannot continue to ignore both the community and the planning experts. Previous changes have only 'improved things worse.'

"Plans to date will create an urban island isolated from a rural village. Even at the last local elections people had a clear choice between pure housing or something better and the very clear preference was for better. It needs to be a mixed use development.

"If the current owners continue to manage the site badly it should be handed to a community interest company to be renewed in a harmonious way."