An application for Mendip Farmers Hunt to have seven stables at Underbarrow Farm in Priddy has been lodged with Mendip District Council.

The farm, which is owned by Angela Yeoman, has been at the centre of a controversial battle between the villagers of Priddy and the Mendip Farmers Hunt for many years.

Since 2008 members of the local community have been up in arms because the hunt proposed to relocate its pack of foxhounds and the contentious flesh house to the farm, which is situated on the outskirts of Priddy.

Villagers are concerned that this latest application may lead to further plans being put forward for a flesh house or kennels and would impact upon the fragile ecosystem of the adjacent Priddy Mineries SSSI (Special Site of Scientific Interest) and the precious rare species that live there.

They say Underbarrow Farm is within a built-up residential area where the noise of the hounds would affect the whole community. In a local survey, 87 per cent of the villagers who responded were against the proposal.

The new planning application from Mrs Yeoman is for equestrian buildings, an open sided barn and parking at Underbarrow Farm and variation to the agricultural occupancy tie on the bungalow.

Mendip Farmers' Hunt has recently relocated the horses and hounds to a remote site at Mountain Ash Farm, on the boundary of Priddy village.

The application is now awaiting registration.

In Priddy, local action group CANINE (Campaign Against Noise Intruding Natures Environment) is discussing new developments. For information visit www.priddy can ine.org.uk.