Up to 24 new homes could still be built in the shadow of Glastonbury Tor after an appeal was formally lodged.

Elan Homes has been delivering the Avalon development of 60 homes on Old Wells Road in Glastonbury, just over the road from West Mendip Community Hospital.

T. & A. Land Associates Ltd., which is based on the Marston Trading Estate in Frome, applied in June 2024 to build a further 24 homes at the bottom of Cullen Farm Road, one of the main estate roads within the Avalon site.

Somerset Council's planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area) voted in December 2024 to refuse planning permission, arguing it was important to "protect what's left" of the landscape around Glastonbury Tor.

But this decision could be overturned before Christmas after the developer lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

The site was not included within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was approved by Mendip District Council in December 2021 and recently revised following a judicial review.

The plans were initially put forward during a 'call for sites' by Glastonbury Town Council as part of the early stage of developing a Neighbourhood Plan for the town.

The developer originally intended that up to 34 homes would be delivered on the land, which lies at the south-east corner of the Avalon estate; however, this was revised down to 24 following initial discussions with Somerset Council's planning department.

Of the 24 homes planned for the site, seven will be affordable – just under the 30 per cent level mandated for all new developments of ten homes or more in the former Mendip area.

Councillor Susanna Hart (whose Glastonbury division includes the site) stated in December 2024: "This is hugely unpopular in the town.

"It's in open pasture land, near the most important site in the south west until we get to Stonehenge. It would be a travesty if we allow this to happen."

Glastonbury is expected to deliver a significant amount of new housing over the next decade, with several brownfield sites being identified within the Mendip Local Plan Part II alongside the Lowerside Lane site, where 90 homes were approved on appeal in May 2023.

The Planning Inspectorate has indicated that the Cullen Farm Road appeal will be decided through written representations, rather than an in-person public inquiry.

To make a formal representation to the inspector, visit www.acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk and quote case reference number 3369032 by August 19.