PLANS for a new housing development on a main road near Highbridge have been rejected by Somerset Council.

Mrs & Mrs Maratty applied to build eight new houses with associated access on the Main Road through West Huntspill.

Although the application had some matters reserved, the plans shoedw the proposed site would be located on the A38 Main Road, in a field sitting to the left hand side of the carriageway when approaching Huntspill.

The Planning Officer refused the proposal for the following reasons:

  1. A lack of specific countryside needs for the development - contrary to the Sedgemoor District Local Plan.
  2. Located in Flood Zone 3 (at high risk of flooding), and would impact on access for routine inspection and maintenance of the watercourse - would potentially result in an increase in flood risk to the site and neighbouring properties.

The plans included proposals for four two-bedroom houses, three three-bedroom houses, and one larger four-bedroom detached house with a footprint of 100 square metres.

It was proposed that half of the properties would be detached, and the two remaining pairs would form semi-detached dwellings.

Also included in the plans for the site included a proposed access road from the A38, which would run through the centre of the development and provide access to all properties, before finishing at a parking area for up to three vehicles.

In addition to this, each property would have featured a driveway to fit up to two vehicles, apart from the larger four-bedroom house, which would include space for three.

For more information on the application, search the reference number 52/24/00001 on the Somerset Council website.