Plans to build 18 to 22 homes on Westway Lane, Shepton Mallet, remain under consideration despite two refusals by local authorities. The Pegasus Planning Group initially proposed 22 homes, including seven affordable units, in May 2022. Mendip District Council rejected these plans in September 2022, citing concerns about the development’s impact.
In September 2023, an amended proposal reduced the number of homes to 18 and introduced a ‘pocket park’ for residents. However, Somerset Council, which took over planning responsibilities in April 2023, refused permission again in January 2025. The council argued the development would be “cramped and awkward” and unsuitable for the open countryside.
The developer has since lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, seeking to overturn this decision. A final ruling is expected before the end of the year. The proposal includes an attenuation pond to address flood risks and a centrally located pocket park, though without children’s play equipment — the nearest play area lies several minutes away on Queen’s Road.
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Pegasus Planning insists the design balances public and private spaces, promotes a sense of ownership, and enhances safety through natural surveillance. The refusal was made by planning officers under delegated authority, rather than a full planning committee.
Key reasons for refusal include the site’s location in open countryside, the cramped layout with insufficient public open space, lack of a proper legal agreement to secure affordable housing and school contributions, and inadequate information on preventing phosphate pollution to the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The appeal will be decided through written representations rather than a public inquiry. Residents wishing to comment may submit representations by August 27 using the case reference 3369557 at the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
This appeal comes amid multiple ongoing planning disputes in the former Mendip district, including large-scale housing developments in Frome, Wells, and Glastonbury. The outcome of the Westway Lane appeal should be announced before Christmas, potentially shaping the future of housing development in Shepton Mallet.