Four-bedroom dwelling at Podimore Inn, Podimore, Yeovil

What was proposed

The application proposed a four-bedroom home beside the pub, using its existing access and including parking, landscaping and changes to the beer garden, play area and car park.

“Application Types: Full application Extension of Time: 19 th December 2025 Description: Erection of a four-bedroom dwelling (Use Class C3) on land adjacent to The Podymore Inn, utilising existing access off Podimore Road, with associated parking and landscaping, including reconfiguration of beer garden, children play area and car park of the public house.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The home would occupy the eastern part of the pub’s beer garden between the pub and a neighbouring dwelling, in a village with mostly stone homes.

“The application site is within the eastern part of the beer garden of the Podymore Inn, located along Podimore Road in the village of Podimore.”

“The proposal is to erect a dwelling, between the Podymore Inn building and the dwelling to the immediate east. As such, the proposal could be considered ‘infill’ development. The Podymore Inn would retain the beer garden to the rear, and the outdoor children’s play area, but would lose most of the beer garden to the east of the pub.”

Officer report

Planning history and constraints

There was no relevant planning history; the site has archaeological interest, while the parking spaces are in areas at risk of flooding.

“The site is within an ‘area of high archaeological potential’ and is adjacent to ‘Archaeological Sites of County Importance…”

“The site is almost all within Flood Zone 1, and not at risk from surface water flooding. However, the parking spaces are within Flood Zone 3 and an area at risk from surface water flooding.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A member of the public spoke against the proposal about drainage, flooding and trees, while the agent explained the scheme and requested approval.

Members’ debate

Members discussed highway rights affecting the pub car park and the possible effect on the pub’s trade.

“One member asked about Highways rights on a section of the pub car park and the Planning Officer referred to Condition 10 which states that evidence of the removal of Highways rights must be submitted prior to occupation of the dwelling. The Highways Officer in attendance provided further clarification on the two methods of removing Highways rights, and the timescales for doing so.”

“During the debate one member expressed concern about the impact of the development on the pub’s trade but was reassured that the applicant is also the owner of the establishment and therefore will be aware of any potential risk and/or disruption that may arise from the redevelopment of their own land.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members voted eight in favour, three against and one abstention after a proposal to approve was seconded.

“At the conclusion of the debate, Cllr Mike Stanton proposed to move the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, and this was duly seconded by Cllr Martin Wale. When put to the vote the committee voted to approve the application by 8 in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted for the four-bedroom home and associated works, subject to the conditions in the officer recommendation.

“That planning permission for the Erection of a four-bedroom dwelling (Use Class C3) on land adjacent to The Podymore Inn, utilising existing access off Podimore Road, with associated parking and landscaping, including reconfiguration of beer garden, children play area and car park of the public house at Podimore Inn, Podimore, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8JF be GRANTED subject to the planning conditions listed in the officers report.”

Minutes