Council bosses quash house plans on Wellington play area (From Somerset County Gazette)

Council bosses quash house plans on Wellington play area

4:00pm Friday 8th June 2012 in Wellington & Wiveliscombe

A PLAY area popular with children across Wellington has been saved.

Sovereign Housing Association wanted to build houses and flats on the green space in Gay Close, but councillors at Taunton Deane Council quashed the application.

Parents and residents expressed their concern at last month’s town council meeting, saying that the play area was one close to home meaning they could keep an eye on their children.

If it was demolished, The Mounds would have been the nearest park to the estate, meaning children would have to cross busy roads and travel further.

Lib Dem councillor Peter Critchard said: “People were very concerned about cramming so many properties onto such a small area, which is surrounded by houses on all sides.

“This would cause overlooking into and from the site. The loss of a green space as a play area that has been used by local children for many years is another concern.

“I’ll be keeping a careful eye on the situation in case there is another attempt to develop the site.”