An expert witness called by North Somerset Council told a Public Inquiry at Weston Town Hall that building a housing estate on Farleigh Fields, Backwell will “irrevocably harm the character and appearance of this place”.

Funda Kemal, an architect, who has studied the proposals for 125 homes put forward by Persimmon Homes said the long steep access road to the site was not in keeping with the village. She also told the inquiry that the plans would be high density and a cramped layout.

She criticised the inclusion of 12 metre high three storey buildings as not being in keeping with Backwell; said the plans were outside the village development boundary and would destroy the tranquil nature of the area.

In several hours of evidence she said the plans for the 5.4 hectare site were too tall and that there would be adverse impact on the enjoyment of local people of the fields.

She said: “the harm that the scheme will cause will outweigh any benefits.” She also listed a raft of planning rules and guidelines that the plan does not meet.

Persimmon Homes had a larger scale plan for the area rejected in 2018. At that time the proposal went all the way to the Secretary of State, being thrown out at all levels.

Mr Christopher Young QC, representing Tim Watton, Worcester-based planning director of Persimmon Homes cross-examined Funda Kemal for most of the day.

He told the inquiry: “Frankly it is ludicrous to have a green field in the middle of a settlement.”

The Inquiry is expected to continue for seven days.