THE last surviving skittle alley in a small rural town has been saved after planners blocked a plan to convert it into hotel accommodation.

The Bear Inn in Wiveliscombe had submitted proposals to convert its skittle alley into two ensuite bedrooms, but the bid failed over concerns surrounding phosphates.

The project is one of many which have been held up or denied because of regulations designed to protect Somerset's wetlands which seek to ensure new dwellings are 'nutrient neutral.'

heritage groups and planners fear that new dwellings would see wastewater containing phosphates deposited onto the levels and the moors which could harm wildlife.

Explaining their decision Somerset Council's planning team said: "The proposed development has the potential to adversely affect the integrity of the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site by adding to the concentration of phosphates in an area where they are already excessive.

"In the absence of sufficient technical information evidencing the level of phosphates generated by the development, and sufficient mitigation measures, if any, to demonstrate that phosphate neutrality can be achieved, the local planning authority, through an appropriate assessment, is unable to conclude beyond all reasonable scientific doubt that the proposed development would not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the Ramsar site"

The Bear Inn's landlord said that the skittle alley had been unused for a number of years and argued that converting it into accommodation would support the long-term viability of the business and create two new jobs. In a statement to the planning authorities Jon Coward said the alley had become 'dead space' in the business:

"The space that has previously been utilised as a skittle alley has been unused as such for several years. It is essentially ‘dead space’ within our business. We get many requests for accommodation that we can currently not accommodate."

It is understood the plan saw no objection from local people and won the backing of Wiveliscombe Town Council, before being blocked by Somerset Council.

The plans also contained a commitment to 'relocate' the skittle alley to the Martlett Inn at Langford Budville, which is also owned by Mr Coward.