Community space and orchard planned near Somerset reservoir

The small town of Axbridge lies to the north of Cheddar Reservoir, in the shadow of the Mendip Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB).

The town has become a popular filming location in recent years, with its historic buildings serving as a backdrop for TV series like Can You Keep A Secret? and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

Axbridge Town Council has now put forward proposals to create a new community space a stone's throw from the reservoir and existing recreation ground - with Somerset Council expected to make a decision on the plans before Christmas.

The site lies to the south of the existing homes on Knightstone Close and is connected via a public footpath to the Furlong Recreation Ground on Penn Way, where Axbridge Saxons Football Club play their home games.

Plans for community space and orchard south of Knightstone Close in Axbridge (Image: Turley)

The site, which was used for agricultural purposes, was owned by Axbridge resident Derek Law until his passing in February 2021 - with his son Richard Law subsequently gifting the land to the town council for "community recreational use in perpetuity" (i.e. it cannot be used to build housing).

The land can currently be accessed from three points: the footpath leading from Furlong Recreation Ground, the footpath on Knightstone Close, and Portmeade Drove, where both the other footpaths connect to a separate route over the Old River Axe.

Under the plans, all three routes will be enhanced with new signage and "educational content", with a small cider orchard being planted near the northern entrance.

New trees and hedges will be planted throughout the site, including new oak trees along the footpaths and new blackthorns and honeysuckle on the western side of the land.

A shipping container will be sited on the eastern side of the land, allowing maintenance equipment to be stored.

By enhancing the rights of way across the site, it will make it easier for Axbridge residents to access the reservoir via the route behind their local pumping station - with the potential in the future to link up more smoothly with the Strawberry Line active travel route.

A spokesperson for P&M Advisory Ltd. (representing the town council) said: "The Axbridge Neighbourhood Plan (which was adopted in the spring of 2022) supports development which conserves and enhances access to the countryside, has no significant impact on the natural environment, enhances it and provides for appropriate planting.

"It also seeks improvements to encourage recreation and play.

View of Furlong Recreation Ground in Axbridge (Image: Google Maps)

"The proposals will improve, in a small but important way, the social and environmental conditions of the area as well as contribute to the vision for the town as set out in the Neighbourhood Plan."

Somerset Council is expected to make a ruling on the proposals before the end of the year.

Since the town council is the applicant, such a decision may need to be made in public by the planning committee north (which handles major applications within the former Sedgemoor area) rather than through the delegated powers of Somerset Council's planning officers.