WYCHAVON planners are preparing to take legal action against a farmer for rebuilding two semi-detached homes and constructing cattle buildings without planning permission.

Officers say that Alfred Rodenhurst, of Wadborough Park Farm, Drakes Broughton, could face prosecution for the unauthorised building works.

Council enforcement officer Adam Gatier said that talks with Mr Rodenhurst would continue before any decision was taken on how to proceed with the enforcement notice.

Members of the council's planning committee decided to take action at a meeting last Thursday when they heard that the farm buildings had a detrimental effect on the local landscape and that the houses were outside any designated settlement boundary.

"The site lies within the countryside and is in an unsustainable rural location where there is a presumption against any further residential development, which would extend the existing settlement into the countryside," said Mr Gatier.

"This proposal would appear visually intrusive and out of character with the surrounding area and would seriously harm the pleasant open rural character of the area."

Mr Rodenhurst has argued that the work on the pair of semi-detached homes did not represent a rebuild but a repair.

He also argued that the cattle buildings were essential for the welfare of his animals.

Mr Rodenhurst's agent, architect Sid Glazzards, said he could not comment until discussions with the council had been completed.