A new housing development could still be built on “one of the best fields in Somerset” after the developer lodged an appeal.

Persimmon Homes Wessex put forward outline plans in March 2022 to build up to 190 new homes on the eastern side of the A367 Fosseway South in Midsomer Norton.

Following negotiations with Somerset Council’s planning officers, the intended number of homes was reduced to 180 before the proposals came before the council’s planning committee in August.

The committee voted by a substantial margin to refuse them, citing over-development, “poor access to services” and a lack of employment opportunities.

But the developer has now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate – with the matter due to be settled at a public inquiry scheduled for early-February 2025.

The site lies to the south of the existing homes on Fossefield Road.

Access from the site would be from the A367, with a new pedestrian crossing being delivered near the entrance to provide a connection with both the existing Beauchamp Avenue homes and the new Cherry Blossom View and Somer Meadows estates, which are currently under construction.

Of the 180 homes earmarked for the site, 54 would have been affordable, meeting the council’s 30 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more.

In addition to the affordable homes and green space to the south-east of the new homes, Persimmon promised to provide nearly £84,000 towards new special needs school places in Midsomer Norton, nearly £180,000 towards school transport costs, and just over £80,000 for local GP surgeries (split between the Mendip Country Practice in Radstock and Oakhill Surgery in Oakhill).

The council’s planning committee east voted to refuse permission on a single ground: that the site lies outside the settlement boundary of Midsomer Norton, and would therefore result in “the loss of open countryside and agricultural land”.

The site was originally allocated for development within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was approved by district councillors in December 2021.

However, it was struck out of the plan following a successful judicial review and has not been included in the revised Local Plan Part II.

Speaking in early-August, Councillor Philip Ham said: “I farmed this field in the 1960s and 1970s – it’s one of the best fields in Somerset.

“We’re in a world of food security. We need to keep the best land, and I think this is just one step too far in this area.

“This is going to double the size of the parish of Kilmersdon – and the main village is one-and-a-half miles from the site.”

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Wessex said: “We can confirm we have lodged an appeal.

“We look forward to presenting our case in the new year to help address the urgent housing crisis.”

The inquiry is scheduled to begin on February 4, 2025 and will last for up to four days, including a site visit.

To make a formal representation to the inquiry, visit www.acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk and quote case number 3352740 by December 3.