A DECISION on whether a contentious redevelopment project on a prominent historic site should be allowed has been delayed. Councillors have decided they should visit the well-known Grade II listed Manor House in Axbridge before turning down or approving p

A DECISION on whether a contentious redevelopment project on a prominent historic site should be allowed has been delayed.Councillors have decided they should visit the well-known Grade II listed Manor House in Axbridge before turning down or approving proposals to build 10 homes in its grounds.Sedgemoor District Council's development and control committee met this week and said it would not be able to make a decision without seeing how the project would impact on Axbridge.The councillors have invited a conservation officer to the site visit to give an expert opinion on the how the plans will affect the medieval surroundings.The planning application has attracted strong opposition from within the town, and the county archaeologist has also stated it is likely remains of a Saxon settlement could exist below the property.He says a full 'field evaluation' is needed, including digging trenches around the site, because the potential for significant archaeological finds is 'very high'.As well as having its own archaeological concerns, the town council has also said 10 houses is far too many for the size of the site and fears increased traffic would make an already congested area even worse. The Highway Authority has also recommended the application should be refused.Sedgemoor planning officers say archaeological reasons should not get in the way of planning policies and say the new development could enhance the historic nature of the town.