A plan to set up a new Gypsy and Traveller pitch in Pilton has been thrown out by Mendip planners — who said key details were missing and nature impacts hadn't been properly assessed.

The bid, put forward by Alfie Clarbull for land off Knowle Lane, would have seen a mobile home, a touring caravan, hardstanding, a septic tank and new access built on a rural plot just outside Shepton Mallet.

But Somerset Council refused the application, saying not enough evidence had been provided on biodiversity, road safety or compliance with the Environment Act 2021.

Planning officers said the paperwork lacked a full habitat check and wrongly included land outside the application boundary in its biodiversity calculations. That meant they couldn't confirm whether the proposal would deliver the required 10% biodiversity net gain.

The access plans also failed to show whether the entrance and parking layout would be safe, breaching highways policy.

The plot sits next to an existing approved traveller site and has been used partly for that purpose before. But planners said the new application (ref 2025/0746/FUL) didn't meet the bar.

Despite national guidance and a known shortfall in Gypsy and Traveller pitches across Mendip, the council ruled the missing detail meant it had no choice but to refuse.

It's not yet clear if the decision will be appealed.

advertisement

More local stories:

Shepton Mallet Santa Cart hits the road for festive run

Street roadworks drop‑in today ahead of major lights revamp

Newsletter call‑out:

Sign up to your nearest Nub News newsletter — Get the top stories from across the area every Friday.