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Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 10:00
It was standing room only on Tuesday night for most of the Save Open Land In Draycott (SOLID) members at Hannah More Cottage, as Cheddar Parish Council's planning committee gave the thumbs down to a holiday park on agricultural land alongside the A371 by the Draycott-Cheddar boundary.
The plans include 25 caravans and six holiday lodges, an orchard and a building for showers, toilets and a laundry room.
Cllr Nigel Taylor dropped a bombshell on proceedings before excusing himself from the debate because of a personal interest.
He revealed a three-year-old letter, allegedly written and signed by Nigel Salmon, site owner Mike Pearce's consultant, that claimed the site could have a serious impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that surrounds the site.
The protesters' concerns focused on visual impact, more traffic, road safety, access, little perceived benefit to local economy and jobs, future development, and other worries.
Mr Salmon responded to the fears raised, including the change of use of Grade-II listed agricultural land, and said: "Land quality is no issue.
"It's not a reason to deny a development, otherwise no developments anywhere would happen. Technically, the land could revert back to agricultural in time."
He also revealed that if the development goes ahead, Mr Pearce would sign a 106 agreement with Sedgemoor District Council promising not to develop other acres of land he owned.
After public participation, Cllr Robin Gray said: "What concerns me tremendously is the fact that as councillors our duty is to protect what we have for the residents of the area. And when I stand on Draycott Sleights, I have an uninterrupted view towards the Severn Estuary and that's a view of such unequalled quality, to put anything in its way is tantamount to destruction."
Nine councillors voted to recommend refusal to the decision-making district council, with two councillors abstaining.
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