Plans to replace a derelict bungalow on a prominent walking route within the Exmoor National Park have been officially quashed by the High Court.

The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles between Minehead and Poole, taking in the northern edge of the national park.

The national park, in its capacity as the local planning authority, recently approved plans to demolish and replace a 1920s workman’s bungalow which lies on the coast path near Bossington, between Minehead and Porlock.

The national park’s planning committee voted on March 11 to approve the plans by ten votes to five, with two abstentions – going against the advice of their own planning officers and against the wishes of the National Trust, CPRE Somerset and the South West Coast Park Association.

CPRE Somerset announced in early-April that it would seek to overturn this decision via a judicial review, arguing the replacement property would be “inappropriate” and that the national park has ignored local objections to the scheme.

The national park has now accepted its decision was “unlawful” and the planning permission has been officially quashed by the High Court without needing to go to a full public hearing.

CPRE Somerset chairman Hugh Williams has welcomed the decision, stating: “We took this legal action because we wanted to show our support for local residents who wish to protect the unique qualities of the coastal path from inappropriate development.

“We were also concerned that only some of the elements of the national park’s replacement buildings policy had been considered by councillors, while others had been overlooked. This would have set an unwelcome precedent.

“We are a small charity, but we feel it is important to speak out when our finest landscapes are threatened by bad planning decisions.

“We are grateful for the financial support we received from local objectors to help fund this action.”