Plans for 95 homes to be built on fields in Chilcompton have been refused by Mendip District Council.

An outline planning application for the building of up to 95 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable urban drainage system on land at Hoecroft, Chilcompton, had been submitted by Gladman Developments Ltd.

The land where the new homes were proposed comprised two fields that are situated between the B3356 Naish's Cross and Rock Road to the north and east, and Stockhill Road to the west.

Of the 95 homes, 30 per cent were classed as affordable housing, and 40 per cent of the application area was to be formal and informal open space.

The site access was going to comprise a new junction off the B3356, and a new pavement would have been created along this road.

However, in refusing the plans, the officer's report said: "While the proposal would help to address the district's housing shortage, the amount of weight given to this benefit has been limited by the fact that the 95 units proposed would be excessive and unjustified in this particular location, alongside a rural settlement that has already provided well in excess of the number of new homes allocated to it in the Local Plan.

"The evidence available, and the comments made by two planning inspectors, one in relation to a recent appeal and the other in relation to the emerging Local Plan (Part 2), suggest that the proposal would result in an excessive quantum of development alongside a village that has limited capacity to accommodate further housing growth.

"The proposal would also result in harm to the character of the countryside and in relation to protected species, although the full extent of the latter is unknown at this time as insufficient information has been provided.

"It is considered that the identified harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited benefits in this case, and the proposal is not considered to constitute sustainable development."

Also this week, plans have been submitted for 125 homes to be built on the edge of Shepton Mallet - click here to read our full report.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been submitted to Mendip District Council this week include:

Application to vary condition 2 (Approved Plans) of planning approval 2021/0705/REM (approval of reserved matters of application 2020/0652/OTS, erection of dwelling with means of access) at The Old Parsonage, Parsonage Lane, Chilcompton, has been made by S Manley.

Erection of open hand car wash including amenity/storage container, tensile carwash canopy and Perspex screens at J H Haskins, High Street, Shepton Mallet, has been applied for by Alice Archer.

Application to discharge conditions 3 (Hard and Soft Landscaping), 4 (Parking Area), 5 (External Lighting) and 6 (Removal of Hedgerows) on planning application 2019/3036/REM (Application for approval of reserved matters relating to a dwelling, Phase 1, following outline approval 2018/2573/OTS for the erection of two dwellings; matters of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, Phase 1 only, to be determined) at Plot 1, south of Bloomfield, Coalpit Lane, Stoke St Michael, has been made by Mr Stephen Tovey.

Application for prior notification of proposed demolition of a detached two-bedroom bungalow at Marston, Abbey Road, Chilcompton, has been made by Mr G Burge.

Works to a tree in a Conservation Area T1 - leylandii - removal of 4m high leylandii which is overshadowing substantial part of garden and replace with fruit tree at Judges Court, 3A Waterloo Road, Shepton Mallet, are wanted by Mr Tony Dalby-Welsh.

Application for prior notification of agricultural development: proposed farm track on land to the west of Kings Road, Doulting, has been made by Mr Chris Shepherd.

Application for prior notification of agricultural development for a proposed building at Stone Farm, Stone Lane, East Pennard, has been made by Mr J F Dibble.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been decided by Mendip District Council this week include:

Erection of 19 dwellings on land at Church Street, Wanstrow, by Messrs Derek, Michael and Trevor Mounty has been refused.

Erection of single storey extension to replace conservatory at The Cot, Shop Lane, Pilton, by Mr J Lewis has been approved.

Installation of two non-illuminated fascia signs, a non-illuminated projecting sign and non-illuminated vinyl window graphics at 70 High Street, Shepton Mallet, by Mr A Hobbs has been approved.

Application for a proposed lawful development certificate to modify existing silage clamp into a farm assurance grain store at Fosse Farm, South Street, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, by Mr Jeremy Padfield has been approved.

Creation of allotments and associated works at the Playing Field, Orchard Close, Coleford, by Miss V Watts has been withdrawn.

Erection of farm building to include storage of wood chip for on farm use at Grove Shute Farm, Towns End Lane, Leigh-on-Mendip, by Mr Nicholas Hiscox has been approved.

Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (Materials) on planning consent 2018/2752/FUL on land at Back Lane, Ditcheat, by Mr Lettieri has been approved.

Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (Materials for roof construction) on planning consent 2020/1574/VRC at The Lawn, 9 Paul Street, Shepton Mallet, by Mr and Mrs R Thornton has been approved.

Installation of rooflights to the rear elevation of the farmhouse, link and barn at Greenscombe Farm, Creech Hill Road, Milton Clevedon, by Mr Max Wigram has been approved.

Prior approval for change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (use Class C3) at Wraxall House, New Road, Wraxall, by Mr J Cierach has been given.

Relocation of an agricultural barn at Brook Hall, Leighton Lane, Evercreech, by Mr S Heal has been approved.