Plans for 180 new homes on “one of the best fields in Somerset’ have been roundly refused by local councillors.

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 down to 180 before the proposals came before the council’s planning committee east for approval.

But after two years of work, the committee voted by a substantial margin to refuse the plans, citing over-development, “poor access to services” and a lack of local employment opportunities.

Access from the site would have been 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 which were earmarked for the site, 54 would have been affordable.

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.

The site was originally allocated for development within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was approved in 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.

Local resident Patrick Holland concurred: “This site is in open countryside, and if not turned down it directly convenes your own planning policies. Approving this will set an incredibly dangerous precedent.”

Councillor Edric Hobbs added: “Three applications in the last 11 years have been turned down.

“Oakhill Surgery is already over capacity by 409 patients, and I was told recently that Hope House Surgery in Radstock is in a similar situation.”

The committee voted to refuse planning permission by six votes to two, with one abstention.

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Wessex said: “We are very disappointed by the committee’s decision to reject our proposal to deliver 180 much-needed new homes in Midsomer Norton, especially as it contradicted the council planning officer’s recommendation to approve the scheme.

“In light of this decision, we will now take the necessary time to assess our next steps.”