FRONT-runner to be the new '007' Aaron Taylor-Johnson looks set to win his latest planning battle - after being praised for 'bonding' his proposed courtyard wall at his Leigh on Mendip farmhouse.

The actor, who is current favourite to be the next James Bond, and his film director wife Sam, want to make changes to a courtyard attached to their grade II listed farmhouse in Leigh on Mendip.

The couple have applied to dismantle and re-locate part of a wall within the courtyard, and raise a section of the external boundary wall to provide a larger internal space.

Their representatives said the aim was to "enhance its spatial relationship with the principal house" and to enable the family to "utilise a practical private external space."

The application is still under consideration by Somerset Council and a decision is yet to be made.

But Leigh on Mendip parish council said 'several' councillors went to visit the site and were recommending approval, praising the way the actor planned to 'bond' the wall together.

The council said: "Adding a new section of wall in the location proposed, reusing the stone or using new matching, with a traditional cock and hen coping, flush jointing, bond to match the existing and lime mortar, will not impact the setting or character of the listed structures adversely."

The parish council added: "Several councillors undertook at visit to the site in question to gain a better understanding of the proposal.

"Whilst there is some harm through demolition of the primary element of wall, it is concluded that its significance is limited given its alteration and resultant appearance."

In documents supporting the plans, representatives for Taylor-Johnson wrote: "The use of existing stone and traditional materials and skills in the construction of the new wall will retain the historic fabric, and the evidential and aesthetic values of the existing walls.

They added: "On the basis that the proposal is demonstrably compliant with national and local plannin policies, the Council is respectfully requested to grant planning permission and listed building consent."

The scheme is the latest improvement works being carried out by the couple.

Earlier this year, they won over his neighbours with a pond plan - after being credited with 'bringing back birds'.

Neighbour Amy Fukuyama wrote: "I live to the west of the fields belonging to Great House Farm and am overjoyed at the prospect of the increase to biodiversity in our area.

"I can see the ponds from my house and very much welcome the change to the view and monoculture.

"Since the ponds have been constructed there has been a noticeable increase in bird activity.

"We now regularly see, and hear, flocks of geese flying over and can hear a Tawny Owl on occasions which I don't recall hearing before.

"I recently attended a talk by another local rewilding enthusiast in which he spoke of the flocks of 100 plus Goldfinches which now visit his re-wilded farm and I fully support any application which would encourage such activity in our area."