Planning refused for homes in area of natural beauty

Campaigners showed up in force to oppose the plans outside the meeting

Campaigners have celebrated after councillors rejected plans to build hundreds of homes on the southern edge of Bath.

Bath and North East Somerset Council spent three and a half hours debating plans to build 290 homes next to Odd Down Park & Ride- 40% of which would have been affordable.

The council's planning committee voted seven to one to refuse planning permission for the Hignett Family Trust's plans.

More than 1,200 objections were submitted to the council and protesters gathered outside the Guildhall in Bath to watch proceedings.

Due to the large crowd in attendance, the planning committee meeting had to be held in the ballroom next door to the council chamber to accommodate the extra visitors.

Councillors on the committee acknowledged the plan had some benefits- such as the high number of affordable homes- but raised concerns over a number of issues including a lack of community facilities and the impact on traffic.

Cllr Shaun Hughes, an independent spokesperson for Midsomer Norton North, said: "We need to be building communities, not just housing estates."

Councillors also warned that, together with the 171 homes that had already been built on one field in the first phase of the development, the number of houses built would exceed the 300 it was allocated for.

The authority's planning experts responded by saying the proposed figure was not a cap.

'Strong feelings'

However, chair of the planning committee, Cllr Duncan Hounsell, reminded councillors that the "Big Brother" planning inspectorate was watching, and the council could face a costly appeal if they were found to have turned down the plans for the wrong reasons.

But after three and a half hours spent discussing the development, he was the only councillor to vote in favour of the plan.

Ned Garnett of the South of Bath Alliance, who campaigned against the development, said he was "delighted" with the decision.

"The planning committee has listened to the arguments and the very strong feelings of the community," he said.

"It's likely to go to appeal so the fight goes on."