A PLANNING application to build 650 homes on land at Jurston Farm, Wellington, has been submitted to Taunton Deane Council.

The outline application – by independent developer C G Fry & Son – is for 650 homes which includes 25% affordable housing, a local centre containing community and commercial uses, public open space and a community woodland.

It also proposes a site for a new primary school.

A Taunton Deane Council spokesman said: “As well as seeking to establish the principle of the development, the application seeks formal approval for the means of access to the site.

“This would be a primary vehicular access via a new roundabout on West Buckland Road (A38) and a secondary vehicular access connecting to the Cades Farm development to the north.”

David Lohfink, Land and Planning Director at C G Fry & Son said: “Taunton Deane Council has allocated this site for development within its Core Strategy.

“The principle of development is therefore already established and we are now delivering the council’s vision for the town.”

Meanwhile, banner-waving homes protesters brought town centre traffic to a standstill on Saturday morning, as members of the Save Wellington campaign staged a march against the development.

Around 40 marchers started and finished at Longforth Road and were applauded by some shoppers.

Save Wellington say that – with two major developments already under way at Cades and Longforth Farm – enough is enough.

“This was a very public statement about our campaign,” said a spokesman.

“We were heartened by the support we received – both by those taking part and the townspeople as applause rang out.”

Clive Martin, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Green Party in Taunton Deane, took part in the march.

He said: “Our need is for affordable housing for the sons and daughters of those who live here”.

He added: “Wellington, like Taunton has ‘brownfield’ land, that is, previously developed land, where such houses can be built.”

Save Wellington has also hit back at a press statement from Taunton Deane Council last week, addressing questions about the Jurston scheme.

The spokesman said: “What they weren’t able to say was how Wellington is going to cope with another 5,000 residents and virtually no improvements to its infrastructure.

“The building of a small local centre and a primary school on the Jurston site just isn’t enough for this massive influx of new people.”

Last month, Save Wellington staged a day of action in the town centre and more than 300 people signed up in support in just three hours.

The spokesman added: “We will keep fighting. Our campaign will continue to the bitter end.”