CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a grounds maintenance depot and skip storage facility on part of a school playing field in Minehead have been dropped in the face of overwhelming local opposition.

Somerset County Council leader Jill Shortland has intervened after being lobbied by Minehead county councillor Ian Galloway over the authority's proposals to create a depot for its grounds maintenance staff on what it classed as "an informal playing field area" at Minehead Middle School.

Cllr Galloway said yesterday (Thursday): "It's been ditched. I told Cllr Shortland that we simply can't go around giving ourselves planning permission wherever and whenever we want, especially when we're supposed to be working alongside the community.

"I believe we are now looking for alternative sites and this at least shows the county council is prepared to listen to local people."

As reported in last week's Free Press, nearby residents claimed the depot would be better suited to an industrial estate and feared it could compromise the road safety of local children.

They were also dismayed that the applicant, site owner, key consultee and planning authority were all part of the county council.

The authority had said the site off King Edward Road would only be used by two groundsmen, one van and "occasional visits from a skip lorry" to collect grass cuttings and gardening waste.

The plans also attracted criticism from Minehead mayor Cllr Simon Stokes and his deputy Cllr Norman Hercock.

They were "disgusted" by it, especially as the proposed entrance would have been opposite the West Somerset Nursery and in the heart of a residential area.