After more than an hour of half of often bad tempered debate, Mendip has approved the planning application for the Sandy's Lane development.

Silverwood (Ditcheat) Ltd has put forward plans to build 235 homes and several commercial units on land either side of Sandys Hill Lane, near the town's Sainsbury's supermarket.

One councillor described the vote on Sandy's Lane being akin to being a decision that is between a rock and a hard place.

Councillors were told that " using the planning balance " rules, the development's downsides are being far outweighed by the benefits - something strongly disputed by Cllr Helen Kay.

She proposed that : "The Board reject the application because on balance, the harm caused to ecology, to the the non-designated heritage assets (the Farmhouse and outbuildings) and the setting of the Listed buildings, does not outweigh the benefits of the scheme"

A vote on this proposal was a stalemate with seven votes for and seven against ; with the chairman given an additional casting vote which he used to reject the proposal, to refuse.

There were strong criticisms of the fact that Keyford Farm was going to be demolished, a building which was described as a "heritage asset."

A proposal was then put forward to recommendation to approve with some conditions. This was passed 8 votes to 6.

More details on this decision tomorrow on Nub News.