CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a cancer centre in a well-used playing field were approved despite impassioned pleas from residents to save it.

There was a heated debate at Taunton Deane Borough Council's planning committee meeting on Wednesday (March 27) as members debated the plans which will see a two-storey centre on a plot of land at Galmington Playing Fields near to Musgrove Park Hospital.

Planners recommended the application for approval despite more than 100 residents signing a petition against the development on the playing field.

Residents spoke out against the plans at the meeting and voiced concerns about parking, health and loss of green space.

Belinda Flynn, said: "Maggies Centre has chosen to have no consultation with local residents or users. "Our streets are already heavily congested with people who are either unable to park at Musgrove Park Hospital or are unwilling to. The car parks at Musgrove are at capacity every day, and queues extend back to the main hospital entrance.

"All access to the Maggie Centre should be solely through Musgrove Park, please can we have assurances that no construction vehicles will be using the playing fields, car park or local congested roads."

Colin Heapey said there is a covenant on the playing fields land which states there should be no building on the land and asked councillors why other sites had not been investigated.

Lynn Coles spoke on behalf of Timothy Dolan and said: "Taunton as a garden town needs green spaces, and these should be enhanced, not subject to creeping urbanisation."

Stephen Andrews from the Friends of Galmington Playing Fields said: "They are saying only 5 per cent of the land is being taken, 5 per cent doesn't' sound like very much but what happens if another application comes in from the NHS or some other body? Are we setting a precedent for gradually gnawing away at this field until it is gone?"

Ashley Wills spoke in support of the application.

He said the clinical case for the centre is 'overwhelming' and it is logical to build the cancer centre on the fields as it is located next to Musgrove Park Hospital.

Cllr John Hunt, who represents Bishop's Hull on Somerset County Council, said a video he posted from the proposed site had more than 22,000 views and between 90 and 95 per cent of people who viewed it objected to the plans.

He said: "The Maggies Centre is most welcome in Taunton - the objection is not to the use of the building, we just don't want any building on the playing fields."

Siobhan Wyatt, property lead for Maggie's Centres, said they have listened to the needs of residents and are committed to making people feel safe.

Cllr Habib Farbahi asked members to defer the application and work with officers to find alternative sites for the centre.

He said: "No doubt it is easier to build on a playing field than to reorganise an existing site. Building on green spaces makes a mockery of our garden town status."

Members of the committee also voiced concerns

Councillor Will Brown said he could see no planning reasons to object to the application, even though he did not want to vote for it as he felt it was a 'good idea in the wrong place' and ended up abstaining.

Cllr Danny Weddercopp said: "We can't go around saying we're a garden town if we're going to be taking five per cent out of this. I'm sure we can find five per cent within the curtilage of Musgrove. "You can't take from a field just because it's to do with cancer."

Cllr Ian Morrell also spoke out against the plans and said under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) it says playing fields 'should not be built on.'

He said the council would be in breach of the NPPF if they approved the plans and asked for a condition to be put on the application to mitigate the impact of lighting on neighbouring properties.

A spokesman for Maggie's, said: "We're really excited to be bringing a Maggie's to Taunton which will help thousands of people with cancer in the area and beyond.

"We're incredibly grateful that we've been awarded planning permission, and we look forward to creating a very special place that people with cancer, their family and friends can benefit from.

"We're looking forward to working in partnership with the Beacon Cancer Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital and Alison Brooks Architects, and are committed to working with the council to create a brand new playground as part of the project for local residents and their families to enjoy.

"We welcome more discussions with local residents and are keen to work with them so they feel part of the project and are happy with the outcome so that everyone can enjoy the space."

Councillors voted in favour of approving the plans with eight voting for the plans and three voting against.