Plans to convert a barn in Cranmore into four homes have been refused by Mendip District Council.

The planning application for prior approval for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to two smaller dwellinghouses and two larger dwellinghouses (Class C3) and for associated operational development at Southill Farm, Southill House to Hemberton Cottage, Cranmore, had been submitted by Nick Hiscox.

The barn is used for the housing of livestock and storage of fodder, and there is an additional building used for the same purposes but this was to be demolished as part of the application.

However, in refusing the application, the planning report says: "The proposed change of use would require extensive building operations and no evidence has been submitted which would suggest that the conversion can be carried out with only internal works, and/or works that are considered to be permitted under the regulations."

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

Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Lime group (G1) - cut back encroaching foliage 1.5m from drive to sound pruning points, Ash (T2) - Fell at The Smithy, Cannard's Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, are wanted by Mrs Anne Stevens.

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (external walling materials), 4 (joinery details), 5 (external roofing materials), 6 (ducts, pipes and rainwater goods), 7 (internal works on floor construction and treatment of roof structure) on listed building consent 2018/1754/LBC at Gemini House, Long Street, Croscombe, has been made by Candy Stanley. At the same address the conversion of loft with associated alterations, rooflights and a window, installation of replacement windows and a woodburner/flue, alterations to an existing window opening to form a doorway with new external steps to rear garden, erection of a porch and a detached store has been applied for by Mr and Mrs Swannell.

Erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory at 59 Beech Avenue, Shepton Mallet, is wanted by Sarah Neale.

Approval of details reserved by condition 11 (Contamination) on planning consent 2017/0600/FUL at Crossway Garage, Anchor Road, Coleford, has been applied for by Mr Nick Couling.

Application for a non-material amendment to permission 2017/2056/FUL for the re-positioning of the windows and materials change to the Car Port at Sunnyholme, Charlton Road, Holcombe, has been made by Mr J Bentley.

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (external joinery), 4 (ducts, pipes and rainwater goods), 5 (internal works) on listed building consent 2019/1047/LBC at Weston Town House, Weston Town, Evercreech, has been made by Mr L Richardson.

Erection of a single storey rear extension, which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 3.5 metres, with a maximum height of 3.3 metres and an eaves height of 2.4 metres at 12 Withy Cottages, Bath Road, Oakhill, is wanted by Mr Daniel Webber.

Five Day Notice: Ash tree - Fell has been applied for at 11 Webber Road Shepton Mallet.

Replace the existing corrugated asbestos roof cladding for reclaimed clay triple Roman tiles on the rear single storey lean-to roof at Mulberry Cottage, Bread Street, Pilton, is wanted by Mr and Mrs J King.

Works to trees in a Conservation Area Ash (T1) - cut back overhanging branches to a minimum of 5.5m, Chestnut (T2) - cut back overhanging branches to a minimum of 5.5m, Sycamore (T3) - cut back overhanging branches to a minimum of 5.5m, Elm (T4) - cut back overhanging branches to a minimum of 5.5m, Elm (T5) - cut back overhanging branches to a minimum of 5.5m at H M Prison Cornhill, Shepton Mallet, have been applied for by Mr Charles Lawson.

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

Works to trees with a Tree Preservation Order T1 - Sycamore, selectively thin crown, crown clean, remove deadwood, by 15 per cent, selective lateral reduction by up to 1.75m where crown over extends, and lift crown to 4m, max diameter pruning cuts 75mm at 2 Ash Grove, Shepton Mallet, by Mr Phil Shirley have been approved.

Application for the diversion of Public Right of Way (SM 6/9) in association with Planning Permission Ref: 2019/2887/HSE at Priors Leigh, Millford Lane to Smiths Lane, Ditcheat, by Mr and Mrs Neeve has been approved.

Renovation, repair and associated works at Prescott, Leigh Street, Leigh-on-Mendip, by Mr Guy Bryant have been approved.

Conversion of existing building to provide annexed accommodation at Grove Shute Farm, Towns End Lane, Leigh-on-Mendip, by Mr Nicholas Hiscox has been approved.

Erection of a single storey side extension and garage with associated driveway (revised drawings received July 1) at 3 Beech Way, Evercreech, by Mr and Mrs Wilkinson has been approved.

Alterations to the existing house and historic dairy at Little Oakhill, Brewery Lane, Oakhill, by Mr Neal Hendey have been approved.

Change of Use of land for equestrian use, erection of stables and creation of access (additional information received July 8) at Field View, Zion Hill, Oakhill, by Mr and Mrs Pepler has been approved.

Application for Outline Planning Permission with all matters reserved for erection of a two storey dwellinghouse and double garage/store at Oakleigh, Fosse Way, East Pennard, by Mr Mark Cawley has been approved.

Siting of static caravan to provide ancillary accommodation to farmhouse (retrospective) at Clover Hill Farm, Pylle Road, Pilton, by Mr B Derrick has been refused.

Conversion of garage to form ancillary accommodation and erection of front single storey extension at Bramley Farm, Bath Road, Oakhill, by Mr Knowles has been approved.

Approval of details reserved by condition 5 (External Facing Materials) on planning consent 2016/3168/FUL on land at Arthur's Bridge Farm, Snagg Lane to Redlands Farm Lane, Ditcheat, by Mr Richard Miller has been given.