PLANS to turn an agricultural building into two dwelling houses near Ilminster have been refused.

The decision was made this week and planning documents explained why the proposals for the site at Barns At Crock Street, Donyatt, have been refused: “The application for prior approval is refused and is not permitted to go ahead for the following reasons:

“The level of demolition and building work proposed is contrary to the criteria in Class Q.1 (i) (ii) of Part 3, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

“The proposed first floor windows to the east elevation of Barn B are likely to have a harmful impact upon the amenity of the neighbouring dwelling as a result of an unacceptable level of overlooking, to the contrary of Class Q.2 (1) (e) of Part 3, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).”

Details included in the planning document also gave details of the application, which “comprises the conversion and partial demolition of one building to provide one dwelling, together with the conversion of a further building to provide a further dwelling.

“The dwellings will be accessed via existing access points from the highway to the north.”

“The application site lies to the south of the settlement of Broadway in the open countryside.

“The site contains a number of adjoining agricultural buildings. There is a residential dwelling to the east of the site with further sporadic development in the wider area.”