PLANS for part of an empty stable block to be converted into two two-person holiday units on the edge of the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have been approved by Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) despite objections from parish councillors and the AONB’s management team.

There were also nine letters of objection from local residents to the application for the work at Triscombe Vale Farm, Triscombe.

Planning consultant Darren Addicott, of APW Planning, said the development would provide important tourism and economic benefits to the rural economy and build on Somerset’s tourism brand.

Mr Addicott said although the site was in open countryside, the area was characterised by a range of scattered rural dwellings, farm buildings, and tourist accommodation.

He said: “It is our client’s goal to help turn day visitors to the area into longer terms stays, as a tourist destination where visitors are able to stay longer and/or will visit more often to enjoy the special qualities of the Quantock Hills.

“This will also increase tourist spending in the local rural economy.

“There is a growing market for these types of facilities and the proposal represents a unique opportunity to generate a new tourist facility in the AONB to meet this demand, which through a conversion can be achieved without any harm to the special character or appearance of the AONB.

“We will be deliberately targeting couples and individual mountain bike enthusiasts with marketing through specialist publications and social media groups and local adventure sports organisations.

“The units will be offered at the competitive rate of £70-£100 per night per unit, making us very competitive.

“There are several large holiday lets in the vicinity of Triscombe but none aimed specifically at the outdoor activity market.

“We believe we will be unique in offering a secure mountain bike storage unit, washdown facilities, and drying room, which will differentiate us from other locations.”

But West Bagborough Parish Council objected that there were not any local facilities and visitors would have no option but to drive cars on narrow, single track lanes, and questioned whether the Quantock Hills were easily accessible for mountain bike riders as claimed by the applicants.

AONB landscape planning officer Alex Meletiou said the development would be in open countryside and would not preserve or enhance the protected landscape of the Quantocks.

Mr Meletiou said: “The potential harm from this proposal is exacerbated by the elevated nature of the site in relation to nearby properties.

“The importance of the tourism industry to the local economy is recognised but it is essential that the very reason for people wanting to visit the Quantock Hills is not compromised by inappropriate siting of support facilities.”

SWT planning officer Briony Waterman said the council’s policies allowed for holiday and tourism within an existing building if there was an identified need and it would not have a significant impact on the surrounding area.

Ms Waterman disagreed with the parish council and the AONB that the development could have a significant impact on the character of the Quantocks.

She recommended approving the plans subject to phosphates mitigation and landscaping conditions, which SWT councillors agreed.