Disabled residents of a recently-completed Somerset housing estate face a longer journey to access local facilities due to a lack of convenient step-free access.

Bovis Homes has been constructing the Priory Fields development of 203 new homes on the western edge of Wells, just north of the Strawberry Line.

Able-bodied residents moving into the new homes are able to access the Strawberry Line via a set of steps – while disabled residents have to take the long way around and use a similar access at the south-western corner of the site.

Campaign group Accessible Wells has called on the developer to replace the steps with a ramp, accusing Bovis Homes of “permissive discrimination”.

The Vistry Group (which owns Bovis Homes) said it had “no intention of discriminating” against disabled people but that it was not practical to deliver a ramp in this location.

Theo van Hensbergen said he became aware of the issue with this development during a wider survey of which footpaths in Wells needed better accessibility.

He said: “It just made me stop and laugh, because of how ridiculous it is.

“It’s an abomination that someone should think of putting in a set of steps, when it wouldn’t take too much imagination to imagine a slope instead.

“All of the paths within the estate are model, as far as I’m concerned – but this is an obvious blight. It’s permissive discrimination.”

Accessible Wells has been pushing for improvements, having sent a petition signed by over 1,400 citizens to Somerset council and identifying 16 ‘improvement projects’.

Dick Hodgson, a retired civil engineer and wheelchair user, said he had experienced “a number of accidents” getting around the city.

He said: “I’ve faced cars driving up pavements – it’s surprising how easy it is to have a crash.

“I can use my current model within my house, and I can turn on the spot, but there’s still only so much I can do.

“I can guarantee that you could get a slope into the Priory Fields site, with a slightly longer run-up.”

Mr van Hensbergen added: “The good news is that Somerset Council is now talking to us about some re-mediations they’re intending to make, which is great news.”

The Vistry group argued that it would not be feasible to deliver a ramp in place of the current steps.

A spokesman said: “We understand the frustration this has caused to wheelchair users; however, we have absolutely no intention of discriminating against any person who cannot use these steps.

“The steps replace a set of old steps that were previously located there, and they have been built according to the design approved by the local planning authority.

“Technical engineers consulted on this proposal and confirmed a step-free ramp could not be built in this location due to the steep gradient of the land.

“This path is not a public right of way, but instead provides an additional entrance and exit to the new development.

“Public, step-free access to the development is available via the cycle path nearby.”