The Planning Committee of Bath and North East Somerset Council met on Wednesday 30 September 2026 and refused an application for a temporary log cabin dwelling in the Green Belt. The committee discussed and noted a report on new planning appeals.

Application for a Temporary Log Cabin Dwelling Refused

The committee refused an application for the erection of a detached log cabin with temporary use as a dwelling on land next to Grass Lands, Lower Bristol Road, Clutton. The application was refused for three main reasons:

• Inappropriate development in the Green Belt: The proposal was deemed inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and no very special circumstances were found to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt's openness and character. This decision aligns with national planning policy framework (NPPF) policies GB6 and GB7, and local policies CP8 and GB1.
• Insufficient information for a rural worker dwelling: The applicant failed to provide sufficient functional and financial information, including a projected business plan, to demonstrate the essential need for a rural worker dwelling. This contravened local plan policy RE4, which requires clear evidence of a firm intention and ability to develop a new rural enterprise.
• Detrimental impact on local character: The prefabricated timber design, materials, and siting of the log cabin were considered to be incongruous with the locally distinctive architectural character and established pattern of development in Clutton. This conflicted with local policies CP6, D1, D2, D3, and D5, as well as Policy CNP2 of the Clutton Neighbourhood Plan.

During the debate, councillors discussed the lack of a business plan and the potential for the structure to be removed at the end of the temporary permission. However, the majority concluded that the application did not meet the necessary planning criteria.

New Planning Appeals Lodged, Decisions Received and Dates of Forthcoming Hearings/Inquiries

The committee discussed and noted a report detailing new planning appeals lodged and decisions received. A significant appeal decision highlighted was the allowance of an application for a solar farm on Parcel 1643, Middle Piece Lane, Burnett, Keynsham. The Planning Inspector concluded that the land was grey belt rather than Green Belt and that the benefits of the scheme, including renewable energy generation and carbon emission reduction, outweighed the harm to the landscape and setting of nearby listed buildings.

Councillors expressed concern that the grey belt designation could make other fields surrounding villages vulnerable. The report also mentioned ongoing appeals and potential future appeals related to other applications, including one at Grove Wood Road and the former gas works site in Bath.