PLANS for an exclusive gated housing development to replace an existing house in King Edward Road, Minehead, were recommended for refusal by Minehead Town Council’s planning committee at their meeting last week.

Agents Reed Holland Associates, on behalf of their client Mr C Howells, asked Somerset Council planners for permission to build five three-storey houses on a 1.6 acre site at 18 King Edward Road, currently occupied by Cherry Trees, a large detached house, which would be knocked down.

In the application, the agents said the site had been used over the years as an ornamental garden, an orchard and a donkey paddock.

They added: “The existing property is very rudimentary inside as it was previously occupied by an elderly resident who did not prioritise the adoption of what we regard to today a necessity for modern living.

“The house, Cherry Trees, is of no architectural merit and consequently we don’t see any issues with its loss.

“The style of these 1930s/1940s inspired dwellings lends themselves to a small gated development off a private drive. The close will be landscaped so as to be sympathetic with the post Arts & Craft’s language of the proposed dwellings similar to that which can be found in the surrounding streets.”

But residents who attended last week’s planning meeting told councillors that in their opinion the large three-storey houses would be out of keeping with neighbouring bungalows, leading to a loss of privacy, parking problems, flooding and water run-off risks and removal of mature trees.

They also pointed out that some of comments in support on the planning application were from people who did not live in the town.

Recommending that the town council oppose the application, the planning committee claimed there would be a significant loss of residential amenity for the neighbouring bungalows which has not been dealt with in the design and access statement

The new houses would have an “overbearing appearance and design” and there were parking and access issues, plus potential drainage and flooding problems.

Councillors questioned whether there was demand in Minehead for houses of the size proposed. They were also concerned with problems which could be caused by the narrow access road to the property, particularly regarding parking and the movement of large vehicles.

Committee members agreed to ask Somerset Council planners to visit the site, and to request, because of public concern, that the decision on the application should be made by the planning committee rather than officers.