THE owners of the former Crown Inn at Rumwell have failed with an application to convert the building into houses.

Swanmore Estates wanted to convert the listed premises into two homes, with demolition of part of the single-storey buildings and two new homes built in the garden.

The new Somerset West and Taunton Council refused the plans on the grounds that ‘the benefits would not outweigh the harm’.

A spokesman said: “The proposed development by reason of the new build dwellings would result in the loss of historic fabric and character of the pub and impact on its setting, and create a development along this main road outside of the settlement limits.”