CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect Minehead's newest conservation area from development staged a public demonstration of their opposition this week.

Controversial plans to build two homes on land outside the town's development line in Woodcombe were approved by West Somerset Council earlier this year.

But the application from Renscombe Properties Ltd to demolish a former church hut in Woodcombe Lane and replace it with two detached houses will go before the authority's planning committee again at the end of March due to a procedural error.

The site notice put up by the council failed to specify that the scheme would not be in accordance with the local development plan because it was outside Minehead's building line.

And opponents of the scheme have taken the opportunity to show the strength of their objections.

Local resident Stuart Robinson said the area had been given conservation status in 2006.

"Woodcombe, particularly the row of 18th century cottages, is important to the social history of the town and has a picturesque quality in the valley at the foot of the Exmoor National Park," said Mr Robinson.

"Conservation area status places a legal requirement on the council to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area.

"At the same time the council decided to leave the site outside the development limit line for Minehead, which is also recognised as being an Outstanding Heritage Settlement."

Mr Robinson said despite the level of protection given to the area, the council's planning committee previously had been recommended to grant planning permission for two houses that would "desecrate the character of the area and destroy everything that is important about the site."

He claimed several hundred objectors, as well as the Minehead Conservation Society, were dismayed by the previous recommendation and decision of the planning committee.

The committee's original approval for the scheme was only passed by a whisker after the chairman used his casting vote.

In his report, deputy planning manager Kenneth Taylor said the site abutted the development line and although in a conservation area should be judged on sustainable development principles.

He said the site was within relatively easy cycling distance of the centre of Minehead and that the proposed design, scale and layout of the proposed houses was in keeping with the surroundings and would not harm the character or appearance of the conservation area.

But objectors said they found the planning officer's view unbelievable.

Mr Robinson said: "The volume of objection has greatly increased and we anticipate the forthcoming planning committee will be very well attended.

"We trust the councillors will listen to the strength of local feeling and reject he application."

Photo: Steve Guscott