2026 09 20 News Gypsy site

Axbridge News: at last, finally a decision by planners on the proposed Axbridge Gypsy and Traveller Site west of St Michael’s on the main road

Sep 20, 2026

By Harry Mottram: The application for a change of use of land to the ‘west of St Michael’s & North of A371, Cheddar Road, Axbridge’, for a Gypsy and Traveller site has been refused by planners. Applied for in March the decision was given on Friday, 18^th September, 2026. A long list of reasons for the refusal included the obvious ones of it being in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – now known as the Mendip Hills National Landscape. In such a place new builds are difficult to get passed, and the plans that included the erection of a stone wall to replace the hedge was another reason. No mention specifically of road safety was made – since the site is on a main road where traffic is in a transition section from 40mph and 60mph.

Planners also wrote: “…the development, by reason of its location, distance, and lack of pedestrian connectivity to the shops, schools and local services of Axbridge, fails to promote or facilitate access to schools or health facilities. Furthermore, insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate either a lack of suitable alternative accommodation available to the applicant or any other personal circumstances that would justify a need for the development to be at the proposed site.”

Another objection was that the occupants would be reliant on a car or vehicle to access local shops and facilities – although that could be said of several other properties that already exist along the A371. Reading some of the objections – and there were many – apart from the traffic issue – those who objected cited other reasons, which perhaps are more a reflection of fears generated by gypsy and traveller sites. Some of those against the plan lived in Cheddar, Weston-super-Mare and in Axbridge in West Street. One wrote of gypsies in the past entering Cheddar and frightening residents, while another spoke of ‘not worth the risk’ of allowing the site to go ahead for fear of trouble but admitted those living there may not cause issues. Perhaps a little honesty was admitted by one resident whose home is closer to the site than many others who said it could affect property prices while another writer pointed out road safety as a concern, and others simply said the site was ‘unsuitable’ and wrote NO in capital letters.

I’ve covered numerous planning stories for several newspapers over the years and new housing estates, new roads, new industrial warehousing and even once memorably an application for a zebra crossing outside a primary school prompt objections from residents and sometimes from pressure groups. There is always an element of NIMBYism but anything to do with gypsies and travellers sees the level of objections rises dramatically – as has happened here. In the last couple of years there have been several applications that have been given the green light by planners for new homes to be built in the town and not temporary abodes – so what’s different here? If the application had not used the words gypsy or traveller and but instead used the words ‘temporary agriculture worker accommodation’ or more importantly applied for land south of the A371 in a less prominent place, would the same level of objection occurred? I can’t comment but anything to do with gypsies or travellers galvanises public opinion. Articles in the media about ‘land grabs’ over bank holidays, creates an atmosphere when some people believe the worst of all travellers when the majority are law abiding citizens – and in our case Mr O’Driscoll went through the correct planning process. All I will say is that planners in general apply the rules laid out by their authority (and listen to objections – although only those relevant to the application) – and despite conspiracy theories about ‘brown envelopes’ they stick to the process.

For details on Somerset Council’s policy on Gypsy sites (or to apply for a new one) visit https://www.somerset.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/gypsies-and-travellers/

The application can be viewed on the Somerset Planning Portal at https://sdc.somerset.gov.uk/Planning_Online/GetDetails?app=02/25/00030&p=Axbridge