A HOLIDAY accommodation site has applied for permission to allow people to live in the caravans permanently.

In 2018, Cannards Grave Farmhouse, near Shepton Mallet, was given permission to site 10 mobile lodges and 10 motorhome pitches on its land, near The Well Inn and the A37.

This was increased to 30 mobile lodges in April 2020.

However, the site owners have now applied for permission to remove a condition of the planning permission that says the lodges must only be used as 'holiday accommodation' - meaning people could live in them permanently.

The application says the removal would 'enable the permanent residential occupation of the mobile lodges at Cannards Grave farmhouse'.

The plan has been met with some opposition from locals, including Shepton Mallet Town Council.

A response to the application form the council says members 'did not support this application'.

"The lodges are intrusive and out of keeping with the area," it read.

The response also says there are issues 'with access on to a major road'.

Somerset County Gazette: LAYOUT: The land which is the subject of the application

A response to the bid from the Environmental Protection department also objects to the scheme, recommending it be refused.

"While the site is acceptable as holiday accommodation, the noise climate would be likely to create an unacceptable living environment in mobile homes," it said.

"We therefore recommend refusal of this application."

People have until July 26, 2021, to comment on the application.

For more details, log on to www.mendip.gov.uk/planningnandbuilding, application reference 2021/1499/VRC.