PLANS to knock down a West Somerset village house and build three large family homes in its place have been refused.

Linh Nguyen applied to demolish Tremont, in Tower Hill, Williton, and replace it with three four-bedroom houses on the 22,766 sq ft plot.

But Somerset Council planning officer Russell Williams said the density, scale, and appearance of the development together failed to respect the character and appearance of the area and would harm its local distinctiveness.

Mr Williams said Tremont was in Sampford Brett parish but formed part of the built-up area on the south eastern side of Williton.

Both parish councils opposed the proposals as over-development and nine letters of objection were received from local residents, against one supporting the plan.

Mr Williams said three dwelling houses on small, cramped plots would be at odds with the character of the immediate townscape, pattern of development, and urban grain within the area.

He said the proposed design ‘offers little to no attempt’ to reflect the character and appearance of built form in the area and he agreed with objectors who said it would not be in keeping with existing buildings.

Mr Williams said: “It is recognised the proposals would increase the supply of housing in a sustainable location, creating minor social and economic benefits.

“However, the proposed development has been assessed as giving rise to significant harm to the character and appearance of the area and fails to respect local distinctiveness.

“The harm associated to the development outweighs the limited benefits.”

Planning agent Hannah Cameron, of HC Planning Ltd, said Tremont was a dated property in a relatively poor state of affair and thermally inefficient due to its age and construction, and had been extended in an ad hoc manner and so had a large footprint.

Each of the new houses was designed to provide fully accessible accommodation at a ground floor level and they would be highly sustainable and thermally efficient.

A spokesperson for Ortus Property Development Managers said the proposed new homes would increase the diversity of accommodation in Williton by opening the area to larger families.