A former Yeovil pub will be turned into flats after the district council lost a planning appeal against developing the site.

The Great Western Hotel on Camborne Grove, near Yeovil Pen Mill railway station, closed its doors to paying customers on December 2, 2017.

South Somerset District Council's area south committee - which makes major planning decisions for Yeovil - turned down plans in November 2018 to convert the former pub into flats, describing the proposed amount of parking as "woefully inadequate".

But this decision has now been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate, meaning developer - the Peterborough-based Kenika Properties - can proceed as originally intended.

Planning inspector C J Tivey visited the site on May 7, and published his final report ahead of the next area south committee meeting in Yeovil on June 5.

He said the site was a "sustainable location" due to its proximity to the town centre, as well as access to the railway station and the 68 bus service.

He added: "Developments in more sustainable locations, that are well-served by public transport or have good walking or cycling links, may be considered appropriate for lower levels of car parking provision.

"The residential scheme before me would give rise for a lesser requirement of off-street parking than the pub."

Mr Tivey acknowledged the amount of on-screen parking on Camborne Grove was "limited", but said the council had "not substantiated" claims that the development could prevent access for buses or emergency vehicles.

He added: "I accept that additional on-street parking could create a visual barrier between motor vehicle traffic and crossing pedestrians.

"However, if there were highway safety implications, it would be for the local highway authority [i.e. Somerset County Council] to impose any parking restrictions in any locations of concern.

"The site would not have a detrimental impact upon the character and amenity of the local area, including the manoeuvrability of local buses."

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