AMBITIOUS plans for a new doctors' surgery in Dunster have been approved after attracting widespread support from key organisations, including parish councillors and the Exmoor Society.

The support effectively outweighed an objection from English Heritage, which criticised the size and design of the building.

Immediate neighbours in Park Street and West Street had also objected, fearing their homes would be overlooked and dominated by the proposed surgery.

But at Tuesday's meeting of Exmoor National Park Authority's planning committee, officers said many of the neighbours' concerns could be overcome by the use of obscure glass in a number of windows.

Officers also advised there was sufficient distance between the proposed surgery and nearby homes to minimise overlooking.

Other objectors had described the new medical centre as "a huge modern building", inappropriate, badly sited and out of keeping with the surrounding Conservation Area.

Supporters said the site was the best available in the village and said the design of the building was "attractive" and would enable essential health care services to be provided to residents.

Planning committee members were told a number of alternative sites had already been considered by the applicants, Dunster GPs Ian Kelham and David Davies, and dismissed for a variety of reasons.

In all, around a dozen letters were lodged in support of the application, together with the backing of Dunster Parish Council, the Exmoor Society, highways and the Environment Agency.

Committee members were told initial fears raised by the authority's own historic buildings expert and wildlife officer had also been overcome.

But planning officers advised that the chosen site on part of the village playing field off Knowle Lane was still "a sensitive gateway into Dunster".

However, they acknowledged there was a need for modern medical facilities in the historically important medieval village.

In a report to the committee, officers said: "The site is a very sensitive one on the edge of the village and the planning authority needs to ensure that the impacts are acceptable.

"The design, appearance and scale of the proposed development and its impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the setting of heritage assets is considered to be the main planning issue and a very important consideration.

"However, the parish council is supportive of the proposals and the development would bring wider community benefits.

"The character and appearance of the Conservation Area is judged to be preserved and the proposal is not considered to cause harm to the setting of designated or non-designated heritage assets."

The new surgery would provide more space for day-to-day surgeries and allow medical staff to provide carer support, a heart advice and monitoring clinic and a chest advice and monitoring clinic.

There would also be emotional health and well-being services available, a leg ulcer clinic, a speech and language clinic, drug and alcohol services and space for an end of life care support group.

A new dispensary would be provided alongside the surgery, as well as dedicated parking and enough space for other health professionals to use the building as a base.