A NEWLY-adopted neighbourhood plan for the village of Oake, near Wellington, has been given an early test with a planning appeal for four detached four-bedroom houses to be built on the former Heathfield Plant Nursery, off Halse Road.

Richard Pinkerton-Hiron appealed against Somerset Council’s refusal of his amended plans for a development which was originally approved two years ago.

Planning agent Andy Malam, of Malam Design, said refusal was on the basis that the design of the houses was not fitting to the rural landscape character and they were too suburban and uniform in design.

But, Mr Malam said the principal of development had already been established and the new application was a ‘betterment’ of earlier schemes through taking a closer look at the local landscape and immediate surroundings and neighbouring properties, and by designing houses which were both better suited to the location and better to live in.

The council argued the development would result in visual intrusion and harm to the character and appearance of the rural area as a result of the siting, scale, form, and appearance of the houses.

It said the proposal showed a lack of regard to the character and context of the site and its surroundings and as a result was considered incompatible, resulting in harm to the natural and historic environment.

Planning inspector Felicity Webber accepted the new proposal would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area, and therefore, either of two previously approved schemes would be preferable.

Ms Webber said the applicants argued Somersrt Council was currently unable to demonstrate it was meeting its legal requirement to have a five-year supply of housing land.

But, she said the appeal did not seek to increase the number of dwellings which had already been approved.

Ms Webber dismissed the appeal.