A detached house will be built on the edge of Leigh-on-Mendip after planning permission was granted by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of a dwelling with associated landscaping and road access at 2 Spring Cottages, Blackers Lane, Leigh-on-Mendip, had been submitted by India Hiscox.

The house will be located on the western side of Blackers Lane, where it will infill an existing garden space and fall within part of the existing pattern of development.

Residential dwellings fall both further north and south of the application site, and to the west lies open countryside. On the eastern side of Blackers Lane there are isolated dwellings.

The parish council backed the plans, saying it was impressed by the applicant's enthusiasm, understanding and recognition of the issues of building in the area.

The planning officer agreed, and in their report they said: "The home is of a more contemporary design than some of the properties located along Blackers Lane, though the design would not necessarily be out of place within the rural setting; the proposed materials are natural stone and render walls with roman clay tile roofing.

Sympathetic design

"It is considered that the design is sympathetic to both the rural countryside to the west and existing built dwellings.

"The proposed two-storey dwelling would not have any adverse impacts on the wider street scene as it is designed in relative uniformity with other residential properties in scale and materials.

"Proposed boundary treatments include the removal of elements of beech hedging that form the existing hedge boundary between the gardens of 1 and 2 Spring Cottages, and will be replanted to provide the new boundary hedge on southern boundary of the proposed dwelling.

"This is considered to provide a natural screening from residential dwellings to the south and east, and from the adjacent public highway.

"The proposal, while outside of designated development limits, is not in an isolated location and is proposed at a time when the district council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

"Accordingly, it would help maintain a supply of housing for the district. With regards for design, amenity and highways safety, no adverse issues have been determined."