Plans for a gas power station on the edge of Axbridge have been turned down by Sedgemoor District Council.

The planning application for the development of a gas-powered energy generation facility and associated infrastructure for a temporary period of 25 years on land to the south west of Townsend Farm, Prowse's Lane, Townsend, Axbridge, was made by Balance Power Projects Ltd.

The power station was planned to be called upon by the National Grid to provide standby electricity generation during peak demand periods.

However, at Sedgemoor's virtual development committee meeting on June 2, councillors refused to grant permission, saying the proposal would be a new fossil fuel-powered energy generation facility that would increase carbon emissions in Sedgemoor so it would be at odds with the council's declaration of a climate emergency.

It was also considered that the proposal by reason of location would harm the visual amenity, character and setting of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and result in a significant adverse impact on landscape quality.

The plan was to build on a greenfield site, next to the four large chicken sheds on Townsend Farm.

The facility would have comprised three containerised generators connected to the mains gas grid.

These would have been located within a secure compound, along with associated infrastructure including electrical switchgear, a welfare room and a gas conditioning unit.

If it had been approved, the compound would have been surrounded by a two-and-a-half metre high timber fence, with CCTV in place.

Motion activated lighting was planned at the site for security and evening and night-time maintenance visits.