A public inquiry into a major new Somerset housing development has been pushed back to the new year – because the public were not given enough notice that it was happening.

West Estates Development Ltd. has twice failed to obtain planning permission to build up to 120 new homes and a small amount of commercial space on the former Greencore factory site on the B3081 Prestleigh Road in Evercreech, near Shepton Mallet.

Following the second refusal by Mendip District Council in July 2022, the Bristol-based developer lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, with the resulting public inquiry getting under way in Shepton Mallet on Wednesday morning (November 6).

However, this hearing was rapidly adjourned after it became clear that not all the relevant parties (including members of the public) had been given enough notice that the inquiry was taking place.

In light of this, planning inspector Mike Hayden adjourned the hearing and has set aside six days in January 2024 for the matter to be settled.

The site is identified within the Mendip Local Plan Part I for employment use, with alternative uses (e.g. housing) "will only be considered acceptable once its re-use for employment has been fully explored to the satisfaction of the council."

The most recent version of the proposals was refused by planning officers in July 2022, using their delegated powers, on the following grounds:

• The development would result in the loss of employment for the village, failing to "meet the aspirations of the Local Plan and the local community"
• The proposals would lead to the "loss of designated heritage assets" and would not contribute positively to "the maintenance and enhancement of local identity and distinctiveness of the area"
• The development would result in harm to nearby grade two listed buildings and the Evercreech conservation area
• The development's "cramped layout" would result in overlooking between properties, creating an "unacceptable living environment for future residents"
• The developer has provided "insufficient information" over how surface water would drain away from the site, meaning the development could increase the risk of localised flooding
• The proposals does not include "an appropriate mitigation strategy" to prevent an increase in phosphate levels on the Somerset Levels and Moors
• The proposed access points onto the B3081 and Neale's Way would "prejudice highway safety" due to a lack of visibility, while concerns also remain about the internal road layout
• The developer has not guaranteed the development will provide contributions to local schools and other community facilities

The adjournment of the inquiry was confirmed by planning officers within Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April) shortly after the initial hearing concluded.

A spokesman said: "The public inquiry into this appeal was adjourned on November 8, 2023, as the correct notice of the Inquiry was not given to all consultees and interested parties who had made representations on the appeal.

"The public inquiry will re-open on Wednesday, January 10 2024

at 10.00am at the council chamber on Cannard's Grave Road in Shepton Mallet.

"The Inquiry is expected to sit for six days, sitting from January 10 to 12 and from January 16 to 18."

The rearranged hearing will include a site visit by Mr Hayden, who will publish his final decision on the plans by the early-spring.