Controversial plans to build six homes on the side of Wearyall Hill in Glastonbury have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of six homes at 24 The Roman Way in Glastonbury was submitted by Pierre D'Avoine following the withdrawal of previous plans for the site at the end of last year.

According to the application, the layout was now more informal, the houses were reduced in size and now lowered on to the ground rather than being on columns.

The balconies were omitted, facades redesigned and 54 new trees were to be planted, if the plans were given the go ahead.

However, there were 334 comments on the application and Mendip District Council set out a number of reasons for refusing the plan.

In their report, the planning officer said: "Despite advice set out at pre application stage, and feedback provided to the applicant during the life of the previous application, the current application was submitted without the required technical supporting documents.

"Significant inconsistencies and concerns have been identified with the submitted Tree Report, which does not demonstrate that trees would be protected through development works.

"The proposed development is considered in the context of extensive tree loss which would be harmful to the character and appearance of the locality.

"The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposed development, which is of significant height scale and massing, would not have a harmful impact in short, medium and long range views, on this prominent hillside of Wearyall Hill, Special Landscape Feature.

"The application has not been accompanied by an ecological assessment, and has therefore failed to demonstrate the development would not harm protected species. The benefit of providing six new dwellings on this site is not outweighed by the harm identified."

One planning application in the Glastonbury area has been submitted this week to Mendip District Council:

Installation of 10m wooden telegraph telecommunications pole supporting four dishes, three antenna, an equipment cabinet and ancillary development at Norwood Park Farm, Wick Lane, Wick, has been applied for by Pat McPhilimey.

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

Development of six detached dwellings with associated vehicular accesses and landscaping (access and layout being considered) on land at Ashwell Lane, Glastonbury, by S J Field Ltd has been refused.

New building and extension for covered cattle collection yard at Higher Sticklynch Farm, Stockbridge Lane to Steanbow, West Pennard, by Mr Winston Heal has been approved.

Residential development of between four and eight dwellings on land at The Roman Way, Glastonbury, by Street Properties LLP has been refused.

Proposed single storey extension to side and rear of sales building with new full height shopfront glazing, new 5m high floodlight to be installed to rear of sales building, existing car wash lane to be modified and forecourt canopy raised to 5.1m at Wirral Park Service Station, Wirral Park Road, Glastonbury, by Motor Fuel Group Ltd has been approved.

Work to a tree covered by a Preservation Order T1 - mature horsechestnut (TPO M293 ) - full canopy reduction of 3m in lateral spread and height, finishing cuts not exceeding 75mm in diameter at 5 Porch Close, Glastonbury, has been approved.

Work to a tree covered by a Preservation Order T1 - ash - lightly reduce western side of the crown overhanging Myrtle Lodge by removing the branches infected with canker, lightly reduce other infected branches to suitable growth points on the western aspect of the crown, remove epicormic growth from large lower limb at 3.5m that has been previously lopped at Myrtle Lodge, Wells Road, Glastonbury, by Mr Alan Symes has been approved.

Removal of condition 5 (dwelling occupation limited to hotel owners) of permission 115155/000 at the Hawthorns Hotel, 8 Northload Street, Glastonbury, by Mr Simon Sturt has been approved.