A mobile home development for permanent occupancy will not be created on the edge of Shepton Mallet after plans were refused to alter a proposal for 25 holiday lodges.

An application to remove condition 3 (Holiday Accommodation Occupancy) on Planning Permission 2019/1324/FUL (change of use of land for the sitting of 25 mobile lodges for use as holiday accommodation) at Cannard's Grave Farmhouse, Whitstone Hill to Fosse Way, Shepton Mallet, had been submitted to Mendip District Council.

Planning permission was granted in 2019 for the original application, which was accompanied by planning conditions, of which Condition 3 set out that the development may only be used for holiday occupation.

This latest application sought to remove Condition 3 to enable permanent residential occupation of the site.

The application said: "The development would enable the use of the 25 permitted units for affordable accommodation, which represents a significant contribution to both the council's worsening housing land supply position and affordable housing requirement.

"The site is in a sustainable location, with a footpath and regular bus service providing access to the centre of Shepton Mallet.

"Shops, facilities and services are within walking distance and can be accessed by the bus services.

"Mendip District Council applied a holiday accommodation condition because units would not normally be allowed in the countryside, however development would bring economic benefits. Notwithstanding this, there is an immediate need to provide additional and affordable housing."

However, in refusing the application, the Mendip planning officer's report said: "The benefits of the proposal would include contributing 25 new dwellings, which would help to address the council's shortage of housing land within the district.

"However, the amount of weight given to this benefit has been limited by the fact that the number of units proposed would be excessive and unjustified in this particular location, the sustainability of which is considered marginal.

"Moreover, the proposed development would fall below the standard usually expected of a new residential development, in terms of the design of the dwellings, the standard of accommodation to be provided, and the standard of pedestrian access and estate roads.

"It has not been convincingly demonstrated that the access arrangements would be sufficient to serve a permanent residential development and there is a lack of information in relation to refuse storage and collection.

"Moreover, the proposal would not provide a policy compliant quantum of acceptable affordable housing, or contributions to address the proposal's impacts in relation to infrastructure, such as education services and public open space.

"Finally, no measures are proposed to secure a sustainable development in terms of low-carbon initiatives.

"The very limited benefits of providing such a poor standard of permanent residential development are clearly and demonstrably outweighed by the numerous shortcomings listed, and this proposal cannot be considered sustainable development. Planning permission should therefore be refused."