Proposals to build 19 houses on a field in Cheddar, where there is currently permission for nine homes to be constructed, have been refused by Sedgemoor District Council.

Outline planning permission, with some matters reserved, for the building of 19 dwellings on land at Steart Bushes, Wedmore Road, Cheddar, had been applied for by Highridge Construction Ltd.

Permission was granted for nine homes on the site in January last year, but this new application was for 20 three-bedroom semi-detached homes arranged in pairs, which was subsequently changed during the planning process to 19 homes.

The refused scheme is a revision of a previous application for 21 homes that was turned down in March 2019 due to a lack of affordable housing, and the latest plan included a report that made a case for affordable housing not being needed at the site.

The site has a history of applications for housing being submitted, with plans being refused for 18 homes in 2011, 28 homes in 2013 and 24 homes in 2016.

The latest scheme was refused because Sedgemoor said there was no reasonable case provided to justify the failure to provide at least 30 per cent affordable housing as part of the development.

Planning applications in the Cheddar area that have been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council this week include:

Conversion of existing store into an annex and the erection of first floor extension above, with the installation of front (North) and rear (South) dormer windows and side (East) Juilet balcony at Poplar Cottage, Bristol Road, Tarnock, has been applied for by Mr and Mrs Drinkwater.

Retention of land raising within former riverbed for agricultural after use: Retrospective planning permission is sought for the land raising of a 187m section of dry riverbed using up to 40 per cent imported inert material and 60 per cent waste generated from the construction of farm tracks and farm building developments at Stonebridge and Decoy Pool farms, the total volume of fill is around 3600 cubic metres, the land raising was all completed at the end of 2020, the land has since been rolled and 50 per cent of it seeded for agricultural production west of Quarry Farm, Nyland Drove, Nyland, by Somerset County Council – Planning.

Retrospective application for the retention of existing conservatory at Christmas Cottage, Pilcorn Street, Wedmore, has been made by Mr Hollyman.

Works to Trees: Reduce crown of Norway Maple (T1) by 25 per cent by shortening lateral branches by 1.0m and 1.5m, thinning crossing branches within the crown are wanted at 29 St Medard Road, Wedmore.

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

Erection of a new general-purpose agricultural livestock building at Robins Yard Farm, Slade Lane, Tarnock, by Mr J Coombes has been approved.

Conversion of agricultural building to one unit of holiday accommodation including demolition of two existing lean to buildings, erection of single storey extension to sides (NE & SE) elevations and installation of five roof lights at Elm Farm, Bristol Road, Biddisham, by Mr and Mrs Smith has been approved.

Change of use of garage from residential to mixed use for residential and business use for dog grooming at 20 St Andrew's Road, Cheddar, by Mr R Davis has been approved.

Proposed siting of storage shipping container to the East elevation at Telecom Exchange, Cross, by British Telecom plc has been approved.

Retrospective application for the erection of first floor roof terrace, alterations to external windows, external wall finish and minor alterations to garage workshop at 24 Church Lane, Compton Bishop, by Mr Gooby has been approved.

Erection of single storey side (SW) extension including alterations to existing roof and internal reconfigurations, also with the installation of first floor rear (NW) dormer window and replacement of detached garage door at Glebe House, Vicarage Lane, Compton Bishop, by Al-Attar and Nguyen has been approved.

Erection of a single storey extension to the rear (South) elevation with internal alterations at 8 Fair Hill, Shipham, by Mr and Mrs Lloyd has been approved.

Erection of first floor extention with rear (North) dormer and single storey rear (North) extension to existing garage at Woodpecker House, Cheddar Road, Cocklake, by Mr Lamb has been refused.

Works to Trees: Fell one ornamental Cherry (Prunus serrulata) at White Gates, Glanville Road, Wedmore, by Ms M Marinkovic have been approved.