Councillors have voted unanimously to refuse planning permission for further development on a controversial poultry farm in the Woolley Valley.
Golden Valley Paddocks had submitted five applications to Bath and North East Somerset Council to legitimise changes it has made to the site for its chicken and duck egg business.
Retrospective applications were made for the siting of ten poultry units, used to house the birds, as well as seeking permission for alterations made to an agricultural building, access to the farm, creation of a hard standing and farm track, and construction of a stock pond.
Applications were also made for two feed hoppers, a temporary cabin for an agricultural worker and the erection of an agricultural building.
However, members of the council's development control committee were united in rejecting the plans and have asked officers to compile a fresh report looking at enforcement options.
Speaking at the meeting this afternoon representatives from Charlcombe and Swainswick parish councils, the Save Woolley Valley Action Group, the Bath Preservation Trust and the three local ward councillors all talked about their concerns with the development.
All gave details of how the chicken farm business had blighted their landscape, with particular emphasis on the potential health implications of bird muck running down off the fields into the lane used by residents.
Bill Murphy, from the action group, said: "There has been a notable increase in the numbers of rats and flies in the area.
"Woolley Lane is awash with puddles containing animal effluent and the smell is appalling in warm weather and nauseous in hot weather."
Councillor Geoff Ward (Con, Bathavon North) said the farming development was a threat to Woolley Valley's "peace, tranquility and stunning beauty".
His fellow ward councillor Martin Veal (Con, Bathavon North) received applause from the public gallery when he said: "Development in this location has ridden roughshod through planning rules and patently sidelined and ignored the views of the community.
"What they have been continually facing is development by retrospective stealth."
Marc Willis, the agent acting on behalf of Golden Valley Paddocks, defending his client's business, saying they were working hard to produce the UK's first free-range duck eggs.
He said the firm had been working closely with the council and wanted to continue to do so in the future.
The councillors came to their decision quickly and unanimously, all in agreement that all five applications should be refused.
Officers will now start work on a new report, detailing if any enforcement action can be taken against the development which has already been built.
