Plans for a sizeable new housing estate in Shepton Mallet have been refused for a second time.

The Pegasus Planning Group applied in May 2022 to build 22 homes on Westway Lane in Shepton Mallet, including seven affordable properties.

Mendip District Council refused the plans in late-September 2022, criticising the lack of public open space within the masterplan, the possible loss of nearby trees and the lack of a local phosphates solution.

Shepton Mallet LVA LLP put forward amended proposals in September 2023, reducing the number of homes to 18 and creating a 'pocket park' for local people.

But Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) has now nixed these proposals for a second time, arguing they will "result in a cramped and awkward development" in the open countryside.

The new homes would have been constructed on the western side of Westway Lane, with an attenuation pond being created at the northern end to reduce the risk of flooding.

The new pocket park would have been in the centre of the development – though it will not include any children's play equipment, with the nearest play area being several minutes' walk away on Queen's Road.

"A spokesman for Pegasus Planning (representing the developer) said: "This scheme has been designed with a sense of ownership in mind.

"Public and private spaces are well-defined through the careful positioning of buildings.

"The streets and open space will benefit from the sense of safety and security afforded to them by natural surveillance from the enclosing buildings."

The plans were refused through the delegated powers of the council's planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee east (which holds its meetings in Shepton Mallet).

Chief planning officer Alison Blom-Cooper identified the following reasons to refuse permission:

• The site lies within open countryside and "would result in a cramped and awkward development" with insufficient public open space
• The developer has not provided a proper legal agreement for securing affordable housing within the site, along with contributions for local schools
• The developer provided "insufficient information" regarding how the development would prevent additional damage to the Somerset Levels and Moors in the form of phosphate pollutionShepton Mallet LVA LLP has not yet indicated whether it intends to appeal the council's decision.