AN iconic beauty spot overlooking Minehead which has twice been refused planning permission for housing development, should be compulsorily purchased for the town and made into a public Covid memorial walk, civic leaders said this week.

This followed Somerset West and Taunton Council planners’ decision to turn down an outline proposal for homes on a 2.7-acre moorland site in Beacon Road, North Hill, which had also been refused on appeal.

The controversial 12-home proposal had brought opposition from the North Hill Action Group, Minehead Conservation Society, Minehead Town Council, Historic England, the CPRE Country Charity and 269 residents.

But this week the developers said they intended to appeal against the latest decision, claiming that four of five reasons for refusal ‘were not real, only technical’ and that the remaining reason - changing the character of the area - would be outweighed by public benefit.

After the decision, town and district councillor Terry Venner, whose ward includes North Hill, said he backed the campaigning organisations which were pressing for the area to be safeguarded for the future and made into a memorial walk for ‘quiet contemplation’.

“I am delighted by the planning decision,” Cllr Venner said. “One of the best views in Minehead would have been lost for ever and the setting of a beautiful church totally spoiled.

“The site needs to be protected from future development plans such as these, and a compulsory purchase order from the district council is what we should be aiming for.”

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