Plans to build five stables and a barn on land near to Walton allotments have been given the go-ahead by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of an agricultural barn and five stables on land to the rear of the allotments in East Mead Lane, Walton, had been submitted by Mr S Isaacs.

The barn is to be used storage of hay and agricultural machinery in conjunction with the holdings to the south west, while the stable building is for personal use.

The proposed stable building has a footprint of approximately 80sqm with a total height of 4m, and it will be constructed using timber wooden boarding which has a relatively light finish.

The proposed agricultural building has a footprint of approximately 210sqm and a total height of 7.2m, with materials to include steel frame cladding and steel sheeting for the roof with a green finish.

Further landscaping works will be undertaken through the introduction of a boundary fence and hedge line, this within the interest of separating the land from the adjacent public right of way, but also having screening benefits for the new units.

Walton Parish Council backed the plans though questioned the requirement of a phosphate mitigation strategy given the siting within the RAMSAR catchment area.

The parish council also suggested that a boundary fence is installed to protect the existing allotment boundary fence from damage by horses, which has occurred on previous occasions, and due to the rural nature of the location, the parish council suggested that the proposed barn be maintained purely for agricultural use, and no future change of use from agricultural to residential use be permitted.

In approving the plans, the officer's report said: "The proposal by reason of its design, siting, scale, massing, layout and materials is acceptable and contributes and responds to the local context, and maintains the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

"The existing access and visibility is considered sufficient and is considered to accommodate any small influx in traffic generation.

"The means of access and parking arrangements are acceptable and maintain highway safety standards."