THE gardens of a Somerset country house will be open to the public during the spring and summer following a decision by local councillors.

Model Farm Country House lies on Waldron’s Lane in the small village of Wembdon, halfway between Bridgwater and Cannington, and has provided holiday accommodation for large groups since 2011.

The owners applied for permission to retain a lake, pizza oven, pergola and hot tub within the estate with the intention of opening up the gardens to the public when no guests are staying at the house.

Somerset Council’s planning committee north gave these proposals its unanimous backing when it met in Bridgwater on Tuesday afternoon (September 10).

The house lies off the narrow Waldron’s Lane, with a limited amount of car parking being available on site currently used by guests staying at the main house or the neighbouring converted barns.

Under the agreed proposals, the gardens will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm on weekdays between March and late-October – except for the Whitsun half term or the school summer holidays, or when the holiday lets are being occupied.

On Thursday afternoons, the gardens will be open as part of the National Gardens Scheme, which opens privately owned gardens in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Channel Islands on selected dates for charity.

Garth Young, speaking on behalf of his parents Dave and Roz, told the committee: “My parents purchased Model Farm around 15 years ago when it was a run-down B&B, and they have transformed it into the property with the highest TripAdvisor rating in the Bridgwater area.

“They currently employ a full-time gardener and use various other part-time staff.

“They have changed the field in front of the house from a large lawn to a diverse set of wildlife-centred gardens, including woodland, wildflower meadows, ponds, flower beds and areas for our guests to play games, swim or relax.

“These gardens are now mature and would make a great addition to the local amenities for both tourists and residents.”

Mr Young said that delaying in processing the planning application had led to his parents missing out on grant funding which had been promised from both the council and EDF Energy as part of the Hinkley Point C mitigation programme.

Councillor Paul King, who sits on Wembdon Parish Council, said he and his fellow councillors were concerned about traffic levels on Waldron’s Lane heading to and from the gardens.

He said: “We continue to object on the grounds that these plans will not enhance road safety.

“Roadside verge damage, already a significant problem on that stretch of the road, will be significantly increased, resulting in further damage to the roadside drainage channels.”

Despite these concerns, the committee voted unanimously to approve the plans after less than half an hour’s debate.