Somerset Council has rejected a revised planning application from Gleeson Land to build up to 50 residential dwellings on Land at New House Farm, Haybridge Hill, Wells.

The decision follows an earlier refusal in December 2020, marking the second unsuccessful attempt by the property development firm to secure approval for the project.

The revised proposal included plans to demolish existing farm buildings and farmhouses to make way for the new housing development.

Designed to address the housing needs in the Mendip area, the development was set to include 40% affordable housing and homes ranging from one to four bedrooms.

The proposal also incorporated environmental considerations, such as a Sustainable Urban Drainage System and protections for local horseshoe bat populations.

Despite these amendments, the application faced objections from the local community and the Wells City Council Planning Committee.

Concerns were raised about the loss of greenfield land and the potential impact on existing infrastructure.

The Wells City Council Planning Committee had recommended the application be turned down for reasons including the erosion of the Green Gap separating rural and urban areas in Wells, risk of flooding given the site's topography, and concerns about the capacity of the A371 to handle additional traffic.

The decision was taken via a delegated process, a mechanism that enables council planning officers to judge without the issue being taken to a full planning committee. Delegated decisions are typically employed for less controversial or straightforward matters but can be used in complex cases if they meet certain criteria.

Gleeson Land has yet to comment on the recent decision, and it remains unclear whether the company will appeal the rejection or submit another revised application.