WORK could start later this year on building low-cost homes in a Quantock Hills village for the first time in 50 years after councillors refused to accept the advice of their planning officer.

Somerset councillors were recommended to refuse an 11-dwelling courtyard-style development off Peartwater Road, Spaxton, because it did not fit the style of a rural community.

But the plan by Aster Housing and Spaxton Community Land Trust was ‘wholeheartedly’ backed by parish councillors and had ‘overwhelming’ support from villagers.

Campaign to Protect Rural England planner Fletcher Robinson said: “The high-quality design sets a bar for rural housing developers, both for social and open market housing.

“It is an outstanding example for other parish councils to consider, and has overwhelming support in the community.”

“The trust will offer its occupiers a contemporary lifestyle in a community-centred housing development that has the safety and security of young and old at heart.

“There is a chronic shortage of genuinely affordable social housing in the countryside and we welcome this well-designed development.

“The courtyard scheme is not out of character with settlement character in the village.

“There is a very prominent example of historic courtyard development in Spaxton, namely the Court Farm buildings and medieval church in Splatt Lane.”

Local resident Christopher Morton spoke against the development: “Just because they are affordable homes, that does not mean they have to be built in a sub-standard way on an inappropriate, out-of-village site, in a town centre-type layout which is completely out of keeping with the rural character of the area.”

But councillors voted unanimously to approve the application.

The homes range from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses and will be offered for social rent to people with local connections to the village.

Land to the north will be turned into a wildflower meadow to provide an improved green buffer for the village.