Housing Development Near Glastonbury Tor Denied by Council

A proposal to construct new residences within sight of Glastonbury Tor in Somerset has been described as a “travesty.” T&A Land Associates Ltd, the developer, sought approval for 24 homes to be added to an existing estate adjacent to Cullen Farm Road, Glastonbury. However, Somerset Council’s planning committee rejected the application on Tuesday. Councillor Susanna Hart, whose Glastonbury division encompasses the proposed site, stated, “it would be a travesty if we allow this to happen”. Glastonbury’s mayor, councillor Lokabee Lokabandhu, added: “We are pursuing applying to become a world heritage site, the only one in Somerset, and we would love to preserve the tor and the landscape around it as much as possible as part of that process.” The specific site was not included in the former Mendip District Council local plan from December 2021, before that council merged with others to form Somerset Council. Nevertheless, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) indicates that this planning process is currently being revised following a successful legal challenge. The LDRS also reported that Glastonbury is expected to provide a substantial amount of new housing over the next decade. The mayor further expressed, “We would hate for our landscape around the tor to be filled up with housing, spoiling the views.” Councillor Hart added: “This is hugely unpopular in the town. It’s in open pasture land, near the most important site in the south west until we get to Stonehenge.” The planning committee emphasized the importance of its decision to “protect what’s left” of the cherished landscape. The developer has not yet indicated whether it intends to contest the refusal by filing an appeal with the government’s Planning Inspectorate. For further updates, follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Story ideas can be sent via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.