The small village of Pensford features an impressive aqueduct, a fourteenth century Church, and a Grade II listed village lock-up and only has about a thousand residents.

Now a reclamation yard on the edge of the village could be developed into more housing, after John Albert Tyler submitted a permission in principle application to Bath and North East Somerset Council to redevelop the site.

A design and access statement submitted with the application by AGM planning consultants stated: “In its current state the site is not aesthetically pleasing or in keeping with the landscape. However, on this land the dwellings would be a great asset to the local community, be in keeping with the adjacent properties and enhance the village setting.”

The yard is up Pensford Hill from the main village, on the A37, but AGM stated that it is well connected to the village facilities and having housing on the site would cause less traffic than its current use as a reclamation yard.

The proposal received four comments in support from people in the local community on the Council’s planning portal and no objections.

Alison Witchell wrote that her parents used to live next to the land. She said: “We feel that the development of six houses would bring much needed housing to Pensford and help to maintain it as a thriving community.

“The site itself is within the Parish of Pensford both visually and on the ground. It would have no negative impact on the community but will have many benefits, offering individuals/families the opportunity to live in a beautiful semi rural area.”

The Council will aim to decide the application by August 14.

A permission in principle application means that more details, such as the design of the houses, will be decided in a later “technical details” application.

You can view and comment on the application here: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/details.html?refval=23%2F02417%2FPIP

John Wimperis