AN APPLICATION looking for permission to build five two-storey, three-bedroom houses in Chard town centre has been refused.

The proposal was for land at the rear of 25 to 27 Fore Street, but plans were turned down.

A planning document read: The document also added: “Whilst the principal of some residential development on this site could be acceptable; the proposal has been assessed as being contrary to policy and therefore unacceptable for reasons of harm to designated heritage assets, insufficient information to fully assess impacts on residential amenity, insufficient access arrangements and lack of an appropriate assessment under the Habitat Regulations.

“As such the proposal is recommended for refusal on these grounds.”

The document also read: “The application site consists of a walled garden to the rear of Fore Street in Chard town centre.

“To the south of the site are seven mews type dwellings within the converted Ostler's Yard behind Lloyds Bank and the rear portion of no. 27 Fore Street as well as the rear of Angel Court.

“To the west is the rear garden of no. 23 Fore Street, to the east is the Essex Close public car park at the rear of nos. 35-43 Fore Street accessed from Essex Close.

“The site is bounded to the north by the Boundary Court residential development of 4 bungalows with the grounds of Chard Cricket Ground beyond.

“The site lies within the Chard Conservation Area, adjacent to several Grade II listed buildings to the south (nos. 17, 23, and 25 Fore Street).

“It is within Flood Zone 1 and an area of high archaeological potential. The site also lies within the catchment of the Somerset Levels and Moor Ramsar designation and within an SSSI Impact Risk Zone.

“The proposal seeks full planning permission for the erection of five, two-storey, three-bedroom dwellings centred around a tarmacked parking court fronting onto the public car park with private gardens to the rear.

“Pedestrian and vehicular access is proposed via the public car park by removing a section of the boundary wall. Five parking spaces plus one visitor space are proposed.

“The existing access gate between the site and Ostlers Yard would be permanently closed.”