Plans to build eight homes in West Pennard have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

An outline planning application for the building of up to eight dwellings (all matters reserved except access) including demolition of existing garage, stable, and annexe extension on land south west of The Post House, Newtown Lane, West Pennard, had been submitted by Mr and Mrs Bishop.

The proposal included the removal of an extension on The Post House to facilitate the access for the planned homes, which were to be a mixture of single, one-and-a-half and two-storey, two and three-bedroom houses, one of which would have been classed as affordable housing.

However, in refusing the application, the planning officer's report said: "The proposal would be encroachment into the countryside that has failed to demonstrate that safe access can be achieved in the interests of highway safety.

"It has also been established that insufficient information has been submitted to assess the impact of the increases in phosphate levels within the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site.

"The proposal is also considered to be unjustified and unsustainable development outside development limits.

"The proposal would contribute a benefit of up to eight additional houses, where there is a shortfall.

"Some short-term economic benefit would be achieved during the construction of the dwellings, and longer term, the additional households could contribute a small economic gain to local facilities, such as the local pub.

"Taking all the above into consideration, it is not considered that the benefits would outweigh the significant harms identified."

One planning application in the Glastonbury area was received by Mendip District Council this week:

Prior approval for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) and for associated operational development at Tilham Farm, Tilham Lane, Baltonsborough, has been applied for by R Peto.

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

Erection of an agricultural building (retrospective) for housing fodder and machinery at Home Farm, Chapel Lane, Meare, by Mr and Mrs R Stacey has been refused.

Erection of a temporary rural worker's dwelling and polytunnel at Myrtle Barn, Lower Godney, by Mr and Mrs Yeandle has been withdrawn.

Application to vary condition 2 (plans list) of planning approval 2019/2453/FUL (proposed erection of a replacement dwellinghouse) at Woodlands Farm, Woodlands Road, West Pennard, by Mr and Mrs S Brine has been approved.

Replace conservatory with flat roof extension and alterations at Little Orchard, High Street, Butleigh, by Mr and Mrs Padgett has been approved.

Erection of two detached dwellings and garages (resubmission of previous approval 2016/3189/FUL) at 11 Shapwick Road, Westhay, by Mrs J Hunt has been withdrawn.