Plans for dozens of new homes rejected by council

Dozens of new homes were rejected

Plans for dozens of new homes have been rejected, after a council called the plans "unacceptable".

F. & G. Jeanes & Sons Ltd. applied for permission to build 83 homes and a retail outlet in Nether Stowey.

The Cannington-based company has since revised the proposals and reduced the number of homes to 57.

However, Somerset Council ruled the plans are still "unacceptable", due to a lack of local services and the impact on the local environment.

The site lies on the northern edge of the Quantock Hills national landscape, on the main road between Bridgwater and Minehead.

The development would have been delivered less than a mile from the Cricketer Farm site, where 109 homes are currently being constructed by Strongvox Homes – with a further 58 homes being granted permission in June.

A spokesperson for the developer, said: “A high-quality, responsive and sustainable development is achievable and deliverable on this site.

“The development proposals fully accord with national planning policy, and there are no adverse impacts arising from the proposals that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits this development will deliver.”

The council said the development “does not fulfil a defined housing need” and does not deliver prioritised infrastructure – therefore it does not meet the criterion of “exceptional” circumstances

It added that the proposal will “result in a substantial urbanising effect” of the edge of the Quantock Hills without mitigating the existing sewer easement at the site’s western edge.

The developer has not yet indicated whether they will appeal this decision.