The site lies entirely within Flood Zone 3a, an area of high flood risk as defined by the Environment Agency. The proposed development comprises caravans, which are classified as 'highly vulnerable' under Annex 3 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Table 2 of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). Such development is incompatible with Flood Zone 3 and should not be permitted. While a Flood Risk Assessment and mitigation measures have been submitted, including raising finished floor levels and implementing a Flood Emergency Plan, these do not overcome the fundamental issue of safe access and egress during a flood event. The sole access route via Batch Road is also located within Flood Zone 3a and would be subject to potentially dangerous flood depths, making evacuation impractical and unsafe. The proposal therefore fails to satisfy the requirements of the Sequential and Exception Tests and is contrary to Policy D1 (Managing Flood Risk) of the Sedgemoor Local Plan, paragraphs 174–179 of the NPPF, and paragraph 13(g) of Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS).

The site lies within a County Wildlife Site Buffer Zone, includes a designated Rhyne network, ponds, and reed beds, and is identified as National Priority Habitat: Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh. These habitats are known to support legally protected species. The applicant has not provided a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), species-specific surveys, or a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric. The assertion that the retrospective nature of the application exempts it from the statutory BNG requirement is incorrect. The development involves a material change of use and the introduction of permanent and transit pitches, hardstanding, and buildings, resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation. In the absence of these assessments, the application fails to demonstrate compliance with the Environment Act 2021 requirement for a minimum 10% net gain or to address potential impacts on protected species. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy D20 (Biodiversity and Geodiversity) of the Sedgemoor Local Plan and paragraph 180 of the NPPF, which require development to conserve and enhance biodiversity and provide appropriate mitigation where harm cannot be avoided.

The proposed development, by reason of its scale, layout, and associated structures—including multiple caravans, hardstanding, fencing, and a large agricultural barn with a ridge height of 7.23 metres—would result in a significant change to the rural character and openness of the site. Despite proposed landscaping and hedgerow planting, the cumulative effect of the development would erode the open character of the area and introduce a more intensive form of development that is visually intrusive in the short to medium term. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy D2 (Design) and Policy D17 (Landscape) of the Sedgemoor Local Plan, which require development to respect local character and conserve and enhance the visual landscape setting.

The proposal fails to provide sufficient information to enable a full and proper assessment of highway safety implications. In particular, the application lacks details on swept path analysis for caravan-towing vehicles, traffic generation, safe egress routes, and the design of the flood evacuation route. Without this information, the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the development would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety or that safe and suitable access can be achieved for all users. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy D14 (Transport) of the Sedgemoor Local Plan and paragraph 111 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).