Plans to build a further 67 houses in a tourist village have been given the green light.

Sedgemoor District Council has granted outline planning permission for the homes in Helliers Lane in Cheddar.

This is the latest development to be approved for the area after Waddeton Park Ltd was given the go ahead for 96 properties at Round Oak Farm after scaling back its plans, having originally sought permission for 110 in December 2015.

It had been on the table for three years before being approved.

Concerns over the impact on wildlife prompted initial opposition but the revised scheme by Cheddar LVA LLP was ultimately backed by the district council.

The idea divided opinions in the village with some branding the development an ‘exciting opportunity’ while others called it ‘an outrage’.

Cheddar Parish Council originally backed the plans, believing it would meet the need of the village but later retracted its support when another, less favoured, nearby development in Upper New Road – for 90 homes – was approved.

The council has now once again shown its support for the development’s approval.

Chairman Peter Colton said: “We support the planned developments at the two locations on the basis of the approved outline plans and discussions which we have had with the applicants.

“Both sites are included for potential development in our neighbourhood plan which was strongly supported in the local referendum and has since been approved by Sedgemoor.

“We are awaiting the legal agreements to be signed by the district council.”

The village’s neighbourhood plan was passed in August after more than 1,200 people voted in favour of its publication and was formerly adopted by the district council last month.

The plan’s steering group said it will now have ‘legislative teeth’ when planning decisions are being made – taking into account appearance, size and placement.

Both developers for Helliers Lane and Round Oak Farm will have to create full plans to present to Sedgemoor.

The two sites include plans for open spaces, supported infrastructure and some affordable housing.