A modern house in a village that planning officers had said should be refused panning permission was approved almost unanimously - to the relief and pleasure of neighbours and nearby residents.

A number of people from the village of Stanton Fitzwarren were present in the council chamber to support the application to build the house by Justin Goodheart.

Although the site of the planned house was within the development area of the village, it is also within the village's conservation area and planning officers had recommended that councillors refuse the scheme because they felt the modern nature of the house was not in keeping with the surroundings.

The report said: "The site is in close proximity to the important junction experienced as part of an area designated as "an area with distinct identity." To the north of the site is North Farm Barn, and the

Farmhouse, both Grade II listed buildings. Given the relationship of the site to the listed buildings, it is considered that the site will have an impact upon the setting of these listed buildings."

But 19 neighbours had written letters of support to the application with only one neighbour objection.

Gary Hopson, who lives next door to the site wrote: "The proposed building would be of no detriment to the area and has design strengths -and the building's green credentials bid for minimal impact which is so sadly overlooked by local developers.

"I'm in 100 per cent support for this project and hope for more to come in the near future."

Stanton Fitzwarren Parish Council also supported the proposal.

It was passed by nine votes to just one against.