PLANS are being cobbled together by Somerset County Council for the replacement of the controversial blue paving slabs in Dunster after uproar over the loss of the traditonal cobbles.

The slabs were installed in West Street earlier this year as part of a scheme that cost £400,000, but following campaigns by villagers and criticism from English Heritage and Exmoor Society among others the council has now opted to replace the slabs.

Cllr Bryan Leaker, who represents Dunster on the West Somerset Council and helped form the Dunster Conservation Group, said that he hopes work will take place between September and October to avoid disruption in the main holiday season.

"We are very pleased that the council have seen sense on this issue," Mr Leaker said.

"The project was managed ineffectively the first time around but the County Council accepts that it could have set the initial project up much better but I stress that we must look forward not back" he added.

The West Somerset Council are now working with the Dunster Working Group, Dunster Parish Council and other interested parties to agree the best way forward, Mr Leaker explained.

The campaigners are hoping that the replacement paving will look very similar to the paving in the High Street which features Brecon grey stone paving with some cobbles retained.

Mr Leaker believes disruption should be minimal as the replacing of blue lias slabs will not require the road to close.

He said that had the council got the project right the first time around, the money could have been invested in promoting tourism in Dunster or something to help driving through the village.

County Council cabinet member for highways and transport Cllr David Fothergill said that the council were currently working up two or three plans for consultation with local groups and that the cost of the project would depend on how much of the material they could re-use.

The original cobbled paving was torn up to "improve pedestrian safety and disabled access".

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: “Work to make the West Street pavement safer and more accessible was requested by the community and carried out as part of a bigger scheme that has been a success overall.

“The bigger scheme included installing more energy efficient traffic lights, resurfacing, and carrying out improvements in anticipation of a new doctor’s surgery. This cost around £400,000 and was a joint project with Wessex Water.

“Although we achieved the safety and accessibility, considerable concern has been raised locally about the materials used and the look of the new paving. After much discussion with the Parish Council and local community, we have decided to replace the scheme.

“We would rather have got this completely right first time but it’s important that we listen to people’s views and come up with a scheme that works for an historic place like Dunster.

“We have started to discuss with local representatives what a replacement scheme could look like. Any resulting work is likely to take place in the New Year.”