DEVELOPERS' hopes of building 140 houses on land in North Petherton have been dashed after a planning inspector turned down their appeal.

Gladman Developments submitted plans for land off Newton Road to Sedgemoor District Council in May last year which were turned downdue to concerns relating to aracheology, roads, flooding and the settlement boundary.

An appeal was lodged against the decision but planning inspector Philip Ware backed the council's original decision over the boundary because it is therefore in the countryside where restrictive policies apply. 

In a report published by The Planning Inspectorate, Mr Ware said: "The council refused planning permission for four reasons. Three of these (archaeology, flooding, and highway safety) have been resolved by the submission of further evidence. 

"The remaining reason relates to the fact that the appeal site is outside the defined settlement boundary, and is therefore in the countryside – in which restrictive policies apply."

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Mr Ware said while the application has its merits and some of the issues have been addressed the development is still in breach of planning policy.

He said: "The proposal would bring with it a number of economic benefits, in particular the fact that the construction phase would generate employment and that the completed development would add to the potential spend in the area.

"In terms of social issues, the provision of both market and affordable housing is to be welcomed.

"The provision of open space would be a benefit to new and existing residents, and would improve links to the main part of the settlement.

"I am less convinced of the environmental benefit of a landscaping scheme, which is said would improve biodiversity. 

"That may be the case, but in the context of an outline proposal this is a matter which attracts only limited weight. 

"Based on my considerations above, the benefits of the proposal (especially the provision of market and affordable housing), are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the adverse impact of the proposal – namely the conflict with the adopted development plan locational policies. "

Gladman Developments has been contacted for a comment.