VILLAGERS in Backwell are basking in victory after a planning application to build eight new homes in the rural parish was refused.

VILLAGERS in Backwell are basking in victory after a planning application to build eight new homes in the rural parish was refused.

TJ Building Services has already built eight homes at 1 and 1a Farleigh Road and the developer had submitted plans to North Somerset Council to build eight more at numbers three and five.

More than 30 residents wrote letters objecting to the proposal on the grounds that it would lead to overdevelopment in the village and an increase in commuter traffic and that the properties would be out of character with the area.

The proposal was initially refused by the authority and the applicant appealed, but planners have finally refused the application on the grounds that it would lead to more people commuting, an increase in traffic and due to the lack of parking facilities.

North Somerset ward councillor for Backwell, Tom Collinson, said: "Councillor Karen Barclay and I have worked hard with our constituents to address the planning issues and we are delighted with North Somerset Council's findings.

"This was a controversial application. The developer wanted to put eight houses on a two-house site. It would have been detrimental to the area and out of character.