Dozens of new homes will not be built on the edge of a Somerset beauty spot following a decision by planning officers. F. & G.
Jeanes & Sons Ltd. applied to in March 2023 for north of the A39 Long Cross in Nether Stowey. Following feedback from local consultees, the -based company submitted revised proposals, reducing the number of homes to 57 and altering the layout accordingly.
But (which replaced the district council in April 2023) has ruled these plans are still "unacceptable", citing a lack of contribution to local services and impact on the local environment. The site lies on the northern edge of , on the main road between and . The development would have been delivered less than a mile from by Strongvox Homes - with .
Access would have been provided at a new junction linking the A39 to the south-eastern corner of the site, near where the planned retail outlet would have been sited. Of the 57 homes planned under the revised proposals, 23 would have been affordable - meeting the council's 40 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more. A spokesman for Focus On Design (representing the developer) said: "A high-quality, responsive and sustainable development is achievable and deliverable on this site.
"The development proposals fully accord with national planning policy, and there are no adverse impacts arising from the proposals that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits this development will deliver." The plans were refused by the co.