Plans to relocate cattery to farm in Cocklake refused again despite flood plain challenge

Plans to relocate a cattery to a farm in Cocklake have been refused for a second time by Sedgemoor District Council.

A planning application for the formation of a concrete base and a range of wooden temporary cat chalets to be built to house cats with 36 enclosures, an office and store room at Withypool Farm, Barrows Drove, Cocklake, had been submitted by N J and R S Hector.

Planning permission had been refused in November last year on the grounds that planning policy is to only allow developments that could remain safe and operational in times of flood, or essential infrastructure, to be built on a flood plain.

The applicants challenged the designation of the area as a flood plain in a resubmitted application, and Wedmore Parish Council again supported the proposals which would have seen Withypool Farm relocate its cattery in Blackford to the 183-acre farm site in Cocklake.

However, the challenge to the flood plain designation was unsuccessful and in refusing the plans, the Sedgemoor planning report said: "While the principle of diversification may be acceptable, this is subject to a detailed assessment of proposal and site-specific constraints.

"In this case, the Environment Agency has confirmed its objection to the site and has not accepted the applicants' challenge to the site`s designation as a functional flood plain."

Planning applications in the Cheddar area that have been submitted this week include:

Erection of detached home studio/holiday let at Crate Farmhouse, Nyland Drove, Nyland, has been applied for by F&B Heritage Planning and Design Support.

Proposed siting of storage contained to an east elevation at Cross Lane, Cross, is wanted by British Telecom plc.

Works to Trees in Conservation Area: Fell two leylandii trees and replace with small fruit tree at Waterfall Cottage, Sparrow Hill Way, Weare, have been applied for by Mrs R Pienaar.

Erection of two-storey agricultural building, with home office and store at first floor, on site of existing barn (to be demolished) and removal of existing mobile home and storage containers at Bluebell Farm, lane between West Stoughton and Ashton, is wanted by Mr and Mrs Nash.

Planning applications in the Cheddar area that have been decided this week include:

Erection of a two storey rear (south) extension and internal alterations at Crown Cottage, Gadds Lane, Cheddar, by Mr Price has been refused.

Erection of steel portal frame building on site of existing shed (to be demolished) at The Timber Yard, Bridgwater Road, Compton Bishop, by Mr J Leonard has been approved.

Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing siting of caravan and its use as a dwelling, together with the site as residential curtilage at The Dolls House, Northwick Road, Mark, by Mr Waller has been refused.

Conversion and extension of existing barn to form a dwelling, erection of a dwelling (on site of existing barn to be demolished) and conversion and extension of existing silage clamp to form garage and stables at Glendale Farm, Cheddar Road, Cocklake, by B J Campbell Southwest Ltd have been approved.

Relocation of front door and installation of external spiral staircase and replacement balustrade at Cross House, Wells Road, Draycott, by Mr and Mrs Waller has been approved.