Plans to create a petrol station at the Oaklands Nursery site on the edge of Street have been refused by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of a petrol filling station with associated facilities and ancillary retail provision at Oaklands Nursery, Street Roundabout, Street, had been submitted by Mr J Symonds.

J Symonds Estates Ltd had submitted plans to turn the existing Oaklands Nursery garden centre into a petrol station with a "food to go franchise outlet", convenience store and outside seating.

The Yeovil-based company intended to create a new access on the A39, and claimed the new facility will make Street more attractive for businesses and visitors.

The new petrol station was to be built on the northern side of the Street Roundabout, where the A39 The Causeway/Westway meets the B3151 Glaston Road.

The plans were for eight pumps for regular vehicles, as well as two for HGVs and two electric vehicle charging points.

However, in refusing the plans, Mendip's head of service planning and growth, Julie Reader-Sullivan, said: "The proposal has failed to adequately demonstrate that it would sustain rural communities or genuine rural business, or to be of a manner and scale appropriate to its location and constraints.

"The submitted Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment fails to take account of the deciduous nature of the nearby mature trees within the zone of theoretical influence and relies on trees outside of the applicant's control to help screen the development.

"It is therefore misleading and not a reliable source of evidence to assess the full landscape impact of the proposal.

"The siting of the development close to watercourses would prevent adequate maintenance and together with the inadequate information submitted to satisfy the local planning authority that an acceptable surface water drainage solution can be achieved, the proposal would lead to flood risk and water pollution.

"Insufficient information has been submitted to assess whether the proposal would result in an unacceptable increase in phosphate levels within the foul water discharge affecting the current unfavourable status of the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site."

One planning application in the Street area has been submitted this week:

Erection of two storey side extension at Old Farm, Southwood Lane, Baltonsborough, has been applied for by Mr and Mrs S Davis.

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

Erection of a log store at Old Farm, Southwood Lane, Baltonsborough, by Mr and Mrs Davis has been withdrawn.

Variation of condition 2 (plans list) of permission 2015/1671/HSE at 12 Hooper Road, Street, by Mr Martin Hooper has been approved.

Loft conversion with dormer, erection of single storey rear extension and outbuilding at 203 High Street, Street, by Mr H King has been approved.

Application to vary condition 2 (plans list) and 10 (roof alterations) of planning approval 2017/2413/FUL for the erection of two detached dwellings and a detached garage at 30 Green Lane, Street, by Mr Jonathan Barrett has been approved.

An internally illuminated facia sign at Unit 63, Clarks Village, Farm Road, Street, by Mrs Liz Lee has been approved.

Change of use of land to garden, erection of a two storey attached annexe; demolition of existing buildings and the erection of stables and a garage/carport at Tapmoor Farm, Tapmoor Road, Moorlinch, has been approved.

Application to determine if prior approval is required for the proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling and associated works at Kent Farm, Kent Lane, Shapwick, by Mr S Gibbons has been refused.