A disused Somerset quarry could soon become the site of nearly 150 luxurious lodges following a decision by council planning officers.

The Cookswood gated community lies within the site of the eponymous former quarry on Bector Lane near the village of Stoke St. Michael, between Shepton Mallet and Radstock.

The 40-hectare site operated as a carboniferous limestone quarry until its closure in 1989, and includes a large lake along with significant areas of woodland.

Mendip District Council granted permission in October 2014 to transform the former quarry into a new holiday retreat, with 143 timber lodges, a swimming pool and spa, sports facilities, a restaurant, activity lake, land train and nature trails.

With only a small number of the lodges already in place, Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) has now given the in-principle go-ahead to revised plans for the remainder of the development – though further assessment will be needed before work can begin.

Clare Bartlett of Batcheller Monkhouse (representing the applicant) explained: "During construction it became apparent that it would not be possible to site

the lodges in the precise locations shown on the approved layout plan.

"This is largely due to discrepancies between the original topographical survey and the exact positions of features on the ground, such as quarry faces and wooded areas which needed to be avoided.

"The sizes of the lodges were also enlarged under a separate application, requiring them to be spaced further apart.

"The layout therefore needs to be regularised, and the applicant intends to also seek permission for planned variations to the layout of the wider site."

The new lodges will be split between the western and eastern halves of the site, with Bector Lane bisecting the site and a staggered junction being already in place.

The western lodges will be within walking distance of the swimming pool and a large children's play area, while the eastern lodges will be within easy reach of the lake, the restaurant and a "nature study centre".

A spokesman from landscape consultancy firm Terra Firma added: "Views actually within and at entry to the development are beneficial when compared to the pre-development situation.

"Further development would not render any significant harm or increased negative effects."

The council has ruled that, due to the scale of the development, a wider environmental impact assessment (EIA) will need to be submitted and approved before any further construction can commence.