Policies S2 and CO1 state that outside of identified settlements development will be appropriately controlled. Development will be supported where it accords with other relevant policies contained in the Local Plan that provide for appropriately scaled development in the countryside where such a location is deemed essential. Where proposals in the countryside are not addressed by other policies in the Local Plan, new development must demonstrate that there are specific countryside needs. The outline proposal for 6 dwellings would be on land, which is not an identified housing allocation as designated by the Sedgemoor Local Plan and does not accord with other relevant policies in the Local Plan that provide for development in the countryside such as meeting a specific affordable housing need or a self-build development. A specific countryside need has not been demonstrated that would provide support for the development in this location such as meeting the needs of the agricultural industry or demonstrated that a countryside location is essential or more sustainable. Therefore the proposal is considered to be contrary to Policies S2, T3a, CO1 and D6 of the Sedgemoor District Local Plan 2011-2032.

The application site is located within Flood Zone 3 which is land at high risk from flooding. This application seeks outline approval for 9 dwellings and this use is categorised as a 'More Vulnerable' form of development as set out within the Planning Practice Guidance. Development categorised as 'More Vulnerable' is not permissible in Flood Zone 3 unless there is no alternative land for such a development reasonably available in Flood Zones 1 and 2. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) considers that there is sufficient land available locally, in lower flood risk zones, to deliver an adequate supply of such a use and as such considers the proposal to fail the Sequential Test. Notwithstanding the mitigation measures proposed, the risk to life and/or property, both within the development and in upstream and/or downstream locations from tidal inundation would be unacceptable if the development were to be permitted. The submitted FRA does not comply with the requirements for site-specific flood risk assessments, as set out in paragraphs 20 to 21 of the Flood Risk and Coastal Change planning practice guidance and its site-specific flood risk assessment checklist. The FRA does not therefore adequately assess the flood risks posed by the development and therefore would not be in accordance with paragraph 165 of the NPPF. The application does not demonstrate that occupants can remain safe for the lifetime of the development when allowances for climate change are taken into consideration. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy D1 of the Sedgemoor Local Plan and Section 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework.