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Members of Mendip Hunt have been branded "crass, arrogant bullies" over plans for their new kennels.

A dispute over the location of new hunt kennels is threatening to set huntsman against hunt supporter and neighbour against neighbour, according to local residents.

The row threatens to involve everyone from long-standing residents, incomers, parish councils and members of the aristocracy. Over the past 12 months the Mendip Hunt Kennels have been planning to relocate from their existing site in Priddy near Wells in Somerset, when the lease runs out at the end of June.

One site they were interested in was Underbarrow Farm, also in Priddy, though "issues" at the site meant they could not proceed.

Instead, they have settled on Dudwell Lane in Chewton Mendip, but their plans only came to light weeks after the application was submitted.

Mendip Farmers' Hunt has now been accused of "underhand behaviour, secrecy and deception" in a row that threatens to split the sleepy Mendip community.

Louis Agabani, who lives near the site, said: "Committee members of the hunt have been acting with dishonesty, secrecy and a lack of integrity.

"For an activity that is built on centuries of tradition and etiquette, they are immoral and disrespectful to local communities. Their behaviour could be described as fanatical.

"They are happy to sacrifice long-standing friendships and disregard the opinions of villagers, irrespective of their loyalty to the hunt.

"Unfortunately, the way in which the hunt committee has been conducting its business will inevitably reflect badly on the honest and decent hunt members and its supporters."

The planning application includes space for up to 80 hounds, a flesh house, mobile home and parking for at least 20 cars.

Author Ivan Ponting from Chewton Mendip likened the hunt to a "crass arrogant bully trying to get his way".

He said: "The Mendip Hunt has treated the communities of Chewton Mendip, Ston Easton and beyond with inexcusable contempt."

However, Alastair Martin from the Mendip Farmers' Hunt said there had been nothing underhand about the application and the hunt had been searching for a new home for some time, before settling on the Dudwell Lane site as their preferred option.