Infill, outside of the settlement limit??? help

[scoffie]

Help!!!

we are desperate to build a house on land that we own, where there is a small dilapidated barn in the gap that we want to build on.
The land is outside of the village settlement limit, but there are houses either side and opposite and the house would be built in line (neither further back or stood proud of these) so in my eyes is this is infill.
The planners seem to be dead against any development of any kind.
We have not submitted a planning application as we have basically been told the answer will be no.

It is so frustrating as I constantly see houses cropping up that are outside the settlement limits of other villages and it seems to be one rule for one and another.

All the legal jargon confuses me and I seem to be going round in circles.
The land is in the Taunton Deane borough council area of somerset

 

[DevilDamo]

Why don't you submit a pre-application enquiry, as that will give you the advice to proceed forward (or not)?

If you disagree with the advice or think there is a possibility of seeking Planning permission, then submit a formal Planning application. If it's refused after the 8 weeks, maybe tweek it and re-submit using the "free go" option. If that is also refused, then look at appealing the decision. The appeal process can be costly and can drag out for months. If they say no, then that's your final answer/decision.

But to be honest, if the pre-application advice dismisses any development potential and refers to particular policies that it does not comply with, then take the advice at an early stage and move on.