Plans for six homes to be built in Baltonsborough are refused

Plans to build six homes on a field in Baltonsborough have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of six dwellings and associated gardens, garages and parking on land at Ham Street, Baltonsborough, had been submitted by Hawkfield Homes Ltd.

This application related to land north of Ham Street, Baltonsborough, and the site consists of an agricultural field located on slightly lower ground than the road.

A low hedge runs along the field boundary adjoining the road with planting on the east and west sides of the site.

There are a mix of bungalows and houses on the opposite side of the road to the site, and in the planning officer's report it said that it is considered that the site is an attractive rural gap between the sporadic housing which is less dense in appearance than the southern side of Ham Street.

There is an existing agricultural access to the west on the inside of the bend which gives access to the fields beyond.

Part of Ham Street outside the application site is within a 20mph speed limit although this increases to 30mph further east.

Planning permission was granted in June on an adjacent field to the north east of the site for stables and a manege.

The application sought full planning permission for the building of six two-storey dwellings with associated gardens, garages and parking, and the creation of two access points to serve the proposed development to be created off of Ham Street.

Baltonsborough Parish Council objected to the scheme, saying the village has exceeded its quota of housing, the site was outside the settlement limits, it would have a detrimental impact on rural character, there were highway safety issues, there would be negative impacts on ecology, and there were drainage issues.

The highways development officer also objected to the proposals, saying they did not provide sufficient turning space independent of parking provision.

In refusing the plans, the planning officer's report said: "The proposal would result in a development of housing in the open countryside and which would have a detrimental impact on the rural character and visual amenities of the locality.

"Furthermore, it is unclear whether the proposal would have an adverse effect in relation to the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site or on-site ecology and its habitat.

"It is unclear how surface water would be managed, and the development would be detrimental to highway safety."