‘CRAMPED and awkward’ homes could still be built on the edge of a small Somerset town after an appeal was lodged by the developer.

The Pegasus Planning Group applied in May 2022 to build 22 homes on Westway Lane in Shepton Mallet, including seven affordable properties – plans which were refused by Mendip District Council in late-September 2022.

Shepton Mallet LVALLP put forward amended proposals in September 2023, reducing the number of homes to 18 and creating a ‘pocket park’ for local people.

Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) refused permission for these amended proposals in January 2025, arguing they would “result in a cramped and awkward development” in the open countryside.

The land promoter has now launched an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to overturn this decision – with a final ruling being expected before the end of the year.

The new homes will be constructed on the western side of Westway Lane, with an attenuation pond being created at the northern end to reduce the risk of flooding.

A spokesman for Pegasus Planning (representing the applicant) said: “This scheme has been designed with a sense of ownership in mind. Public and private spaces are well-defined through the careful positioning of buildings.”

The plans were refused through the delegated powers of the council’s planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee east (which holds its monthly meetings in Shepton Mallet).

Chief planning officer Alison Blom-Cooper identified several reasons for recommending refusal of the proposed development. She stated that the site lies within open countryside and that the plans “would result in a cramped and awkward development” with insufficient public open space.

To make a formal representation to the inspector, visit www.acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk and quote case reference number 3369557 by August 27.