The village that beat the developers: Residents win David-and-Goliath battle to block 300 new homes going up in beauty spot eight years after they raised 1m to save their 15th century pub [Video]

07:02 EDT 11 Apr 2024 , updated 08:23 EDT 11 Apr 2024

A leafy village that came together to save its 15th century pub has won a tense planning battle to block 300 new homes from being built in a beauty spot.

Residents in South Stoke, just outside of Bath, fought against plans from the Hignett Family Trust for 290 homes. 

The homes were planned to be constructed on the South Stoke Plateau – a Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – as part of the four phase Sulis Down project.

But the plans received over 1,173 objections, with locals saying they would severely impact the beauty of the area. Concerns were also raised that the houses could increase local traffic and overwhelm facilities.

Now Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee voted 7-1 to refuse planning permission.