A SMALL Somerset village has seen off the latest attempt to build on one of its green spaces after a failed appeal.

Ashford Homes (SW) Ltd. – which is based in Bradford-on-Avon – put forward proposals for 29 new homes on a greenfield site between The Mead and Straight Lane in Rode, which lies between Bath and Frome.

Mendip District Council refused the plans in April 2021, arguing the homes would be a “visual intrusion” into open countryside and could increase the risk of localised flooding – a decision which prompted the developer to lodge an appeal.

This appeal has now been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate, meaning the development will not go ahead.

The site lies at the western edge of the village, a short distance from both the River Frome and the A36 arterial road.

The land was originally earmarked for development as part of the council’s Local Plan Part II, but was removed from the final version of the plan which was formally adopted by councillors in December 2021.

The council refused the plans in April 2021 via the delegated powers of its planning officers on four grounds:

  • The development would “result in a visual intrusion of housing into the open countryside”, harming both the rural landscape and local heritage assets
  • The increase in surface water run-off from the new homes cannot be “suitably managed” either on- or off-site, increasing the risk of localised flooding
  • The development would harm existing protected trees near the site
  • The outline plans do not contribute enough towards much-needed infrastructure, including improvements to the Beckington and White Row roundabouts on the A36

Somerset County Gazette: Plans For 29 Homes At The Mead In Rode. CREDIT: CMS Architects. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

Planning inspector Mathew Bale visited the site on December 20, 2021, and published his final report ahead of a recent meeting of the council’s planning board.

Mr Bale agreed with the council that the new homes would negatively impact local heritage – specifically the 18th-century Merfield House, which is grade two star listed.

He said: “The site is part of the setting of Merfield House, and its undeveloped nature makes an important contribution to the significance of the asset.

“Development of the site would result in the settlement encroaching further towards Merfield House. This would reduce the countryside setting about the building and its relative isolation.

“Even with new planting, and positioning of bungalows in the most prominent corner, a clear reduction in openness of the site and separation from the built form of the settlement would be appreciable from the nearby footpath.”

Mr Bale did not support the council’s argument regarding the loss of trees, arguing that “poor-quality” trees would be removed to create the access road while retaining healthier foliage.

However, he added that the council’s lack of a five-year land supply was not sufficiently overwhelming on its own to grant permission.

He concluded: “There is harm to designated assets, including one highly graded asset that is of particular importance and more than special interest.

“In this context, notwithstanding the poor housing supply situation, the substantial weight attributed to the benefits of, and arising from, housing delivery do not outweigh the cumulative harm to the heritage assets.

“I, therefore, conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”