Campaigners fighting moves to build hunt kennels in Priddy are concerned about fresh moves to develop a farm site near the village.

Members of campaign group Campaign Against Noise Intruding Nature's Environment (CANINE) say they are watching with interest as the planning application for stables at Underbarrow Farm goes live.

The application, submitted by the farm's owner, retired quarry magnate Angela Yeoman is thought, by some villagers, to be the first step in a staggered attempt to move 78 foxhounds, a flesh house and an incinerator to the site.

Mrs Yeoman bought the farm two years ago and offered it to the farmers hunt for their use, but sustained pressure from villagers prevented its development for the hunt.

Hunt members then attempted to get permission to build on land at Chewton Mendip, a proposal that was also met with a storm of protest.

CANINE are concerned that, if approved, this application will pave the way for a new application to move the whole hunt, complete with dogs to this controversial area.

A spokesman for CANINE said: "For three years the people of Priddy have been in total limbo as the local hunt revealed its proposed plans to move into the heart of Priddy.

"Over this period Mendip Farmers' Hunt produced a series of architectural plans for the site.

"CANINE has fought the proposal at every step of the way, citing its proximity to two species, rich sites of special scientific interest, a popular caving club and dozens of residential homes as just some of the reasons why this is not the right place."

A village survey run by CANINE claimed that 85 per cent of residents would be opposed to siting the foxhounds and flesh house at Underbarrow Farm.