Fears 10-bed 'party house' could wipe out beloved WI group

Ambitious plans to transform a property in Wells, Somerset, into a "party house", complete with a plunge pool, decking and a pizza oven, could come at the cost of a beloved Women's Institute (WI) hall, locals fear. A London-based developer was given the green light to develop a former youth hostel in the cathedral city into a 10-bed holiday let last year. A plunge pool included in the submitted designs for the project has reportedly been rotated 90 degrees from the initial plans, however, blocking off an area previously used for parking by members of the WI next door.

The development has also left no space for turning outside the WI hall, the Eastern Daily Press reports, something members were allowed to do by the hostel's former owner. Additional features including decking and a pizza oven have also materialised without planning permission, and are being considered by the local authority under a retrospective application.

In a letter urging the council to turn down the retropsective plans, the WI said it "strongly objected" to the project, which a spokesperson warned would "further restrict access to the hall for members and the emergency services".

"The Wells WI is a vital community organisation providing the town with support for its members, many of whom are elderly," the letter continued.

"Given the close proximity of the plunge pool, it's occupants and the noise being generated, this will undoubtedly impact adversely on our current membership and will also affect our future membership and, eventually, our sustainability."

"If members cannot access the hall safely and readily, they will not come to meetings," a neighbour added, among other objections against the "party house". "If numbers decline sufficiently, the Wells WI may be forced to close."

The WI is the largest voluntary women's group in the UK and was founded in 1915 to provide women with educational and self-development opportunities and the chance to build new skills.

Architect Tom Leahy disputed fears around the project, claiming the plunge pool is "well over a metre from their building" and that he has offered WI members alternative parking spaces and widened the drive from 2 metres to 3 metres.

He maintained that the pool had been rotated because two manhole covers were found in the original spot and also dismissed fire fears over the BBQ and pizza oven installed as part of the redevelopment.

"It's perfectly common to have these things," he said. "They're all products which have passed safety standards. I would think most gardens in the country would have a barbecue of sorts."

The 10-bed property is already available to book for short stays on the Fine Retreats website, for £3,938 a week.