Concern has been raised over plans to develop a new car park near “narrow pavements heavily used by pedestrians” in Cheddar.

Mr. A. Perloff approved in October 2023 permission to create a new car park with 20 spaces on the northern side of the A371 Bath Street, behind the nearby Bank Street Barbers, in Cheddar.

Somerset Council’s planning committee north met in Bridgwater on August 13 to discuss the proposals and after a short debate, the committee voted to approve the proposals – though some councillors abstained from the vote.

Access to the new car park will be created via Lower North Street, a short distance from a proposed extension of the Strawberry Line through the grounds of Kings of Wessex Academy.

An existing wall behind the haberdashery will have to be partially removed to provide access to the neighbouring land, to create enough space for 20 parking spaces.

Cheddar’s lack of car parking was highlighted by then-Wells MP James Heappey when he criticised regeneration projects put forward as part of an unsuccessful £19.3m bid to the government’s levelling up fund.

Local resident Jill Davies objected to the plans, telling the committee that a car park in this location could make Cheddar’s main shopping area more dangerous for pedestrians.

She said: “This is Cheddar’s high street and is the main part of the conservation area.

“It has very narrow pavements and is very heavily used by pedestrians. People with pushchairs and wheelchairs can’t use it – they have to go into the road.

“In the past, when people have asked for the pavements to be widened, the county council’s surveyor said it was not possible. You’re not interested in pedestrian safety.

“I don’t see how anybody could think this is all right.”

Clive Panchaud, who sits on Cheddar Parish Council, added: “This car park was originally for Lloyds Bank employees and customers, so the traffic was very light – it only had about eight cars maximum.

“This is for 20 spaces, so it’s going up quite considerably. The entrance to the car park is extremely narrow, and the bank building juts out so that it’s a blind exit.

“Your highways department’s standing advice is not helpful.”

Cheddar has seen significant housing growth in the last few years, with the delivery of the Oak Park development (comprising 96 homes on the A371 Upper New Road), the Peregrine View estate (60 homes off Hellier’s Lane) and the Steart Farm site (58 homes on Wedmore Road).

Construction also recently began on the Lavender Rise development of 53 homes on Houlgate Way in the neighbouring town of Axbridge.

Councillor Alan Bradford (whose North Petherton division has also seen significant housing growth in recent times) said: “I would suggest reducing the number of spaces from 20 to 15, to make it less claustrophobic. I’m always a man for compromise.

“It’s a shame Lloyds Bank isn’t there still – the disappearance of banks from these areas is detrimental to everyone.”

After around half an hour the committee voted to approve the plans by eight votes to zero, with four abstentions.