Plans to build a house in Butleigh that would have been for people aged over 55 only, have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of a new accessible dwelling on land next to Well House, Kingweston Road, Butleigh, had been submitted by Nikki Spooner.

The application related to some agricultural land between Well House and Rood Cottages, in Kingweston Road.

There is a public right of way which runs from Kingweston Road along the western boundary of the site.

This plan sought full planning permission for the building of a dwelling and new vehicular

access, with the applicant proposing that the dwelling would be subject of a planning condition restricting its occupation to residents over 55 years of age.

Butleigh Parish Council recommended refusing the plans, saying it would be an overcrowding of the site, the access would result in the loss of a layby and would increase traffic on to a narrow road.

Mendip agreed, and in refusing the plans, the officer's report said: "While the applicant has offered a planning condition which restricts the age of the occupants of the proposed dwelling and specified that it would meet a high standard of Building Regulations with regards to accessibility, it is considered that this does not outweigh other planning considerations.

"It is unclear whether the proposal would have an adverse effect in relation to the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site and it is not currently possible to confirm that the proposal would have an acceptable effect in relation to protected species.

"The proposal would cause harm to the character and appearance of the countryside by virtue of having an unjustified urbanising effect on the countryside's intrinsic character here."

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

Retrospective application for the change of use of part of a residential garden curtilage 12 by 24 metres to commercial storage for four vehicles at Sunnybanks, Back River Drove, Sharpham, by Mr and Mrs P Godden has been approved.

Application to vary condition 2 (Plans List) and 6 (Materials) of planning approval 2019/2554/FUL at Northfield House, Ham Street, Baltonsborough, by Mr N Edmonds has been refused.

Application to vary condition 2 (Drawings) of planning approval 2020/1194/HSE (erection of garage with ancillary accommodation above) to removal of door on south elevation, render on east and north elevation, skylight on east elevation and revised location of garage at Woodlands House, Havyatt, by Leticia Tayco has been approved.

Application to vary condition 2 (Plans List) of planning approval 2018/2859/FUL (conversion of two-storey barn to a dwellinghouse and single-storey barn to an ancillary annexe) at Old Stileway Farm, Stileway, Meare, by Mr and Mrs T and R Robinson has been approved.