THE plan at the centre of the row over family links this week got the go-ahead from Exmoor National Park's planning committee.

In a report to the committee on the application for a two-storey detached house and double garage, head of support to the community David Wyborn said the main issues to be considered were the impact on the landscape, highway safety and whether the proposal was in line with Local Plan policies for new-build housing.

He said it was considered that the proposal complied with relevant planning policies and would not create an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the locality, adversely affect neighbouring amenity or highway safety.

He said the house would incorporate a number of sustainability and renewable energy elements, including solar heating, sheep wool insulation, a woodburner, grey water recycling and a ground source heat pump.

Mr Wyborn said the proposed occupants had been assessed as meeting the local connection criteria and one condition of the approval would be that the house remained as an affordable unit in perpetuity.