Mendip planners have approved an application to build a 150 seat family pub on land at Marston Gate on Marston Road in Frome.

Selwood Parish Council had fought the application, which first started in 2011, and asked that it be refused, because it was outside the current 'development area' and would be detrimental to other similar local businesses.

They said that the area, around Sainsbury's and McDonalds was already sufficiently covered by similar outlets/businesses and that insufficient parking spaces would lead to on- road parking.

But in its decision published on February 5, Mendip planners wrote: " The principle of the use is established by the extant outline planning permission for the

same development, which is a legitimate fall-back position. There have been no material changes in circumstances nor in planning policy terms to alter that positIon. The proposal, by reason of its design, scale and layout would be in keeping with its

surroundings and would safeguard the amenities of neighbouring residents and adjoining land users."

The application 2019/0884/FUL has been approved with conditions.

Other applications made to Mendip District Council planning department this week include:

Bristol Water has made an application to remove the hedgerow along land at Windsbatch Lane in Oldford to enable the new main to be installed and enable construction machinery access into the field. One of the organisations which will be consulted on this application will be the Historic Environment Service at

Somerset Heritage Centre. The hedge removal will be timed to avoid the bird-nesting season wherever possible (March to August inclusive) and it will be replanted at the completion of the work.

An application has been put in to build a single storey extension at 1 Egypt Cottages Top Lane in Mells.

An application has been made to build an agricultural workers dwelling at Lower Whatley Barn in Whatley.

Planning decisions this week in and around Frome include:

Approval for a two storey side extension at 7 Westover in Frome.

Planners have approved an application for a single storey rear extension at 30 Acacia Drive in Frome.

An application for a two storey and single storey side extension at 22 Chestnut Close in Frome has been approved.

Two trees, including a Horse Chestnut can be pruned and shortened at the conservation area of St Peters Cottage, on Horn Street in Nunney .