AN appeal decision regarding a piece of land in Wellington is expected soon.

Gladman applied for permission to build 205 homes on land near Bagley Road, but Taunton Deane planners refused the application in April as it fell outside of the allocated development area.

Gladman then decided to appeal the decision, and the public enquiry is set to take place at Flook House in Taunton from February 13.

One councillor believes the decision has potential to influence other appeals taking place.

He says it would become 'open season' for other developers that have been rejected for not being included in the Deane's Site Allocation Development map.

Somerset County Gazette: ElectionsModule Candidate photo

Cllr John Thorne.

Wellington and county Cllr John Thorne said: "Victory for Gladman could be a catastrophe for the whole of Taunton Deane.

"If the developer wins this appeal, then every community across the Deane will be at risk of unwanted housing developments.

"Because, it would rip up the Deane’s existing masterplan showing where new housing should go, and mean that almost every vacant plot of land could be at risk of other developers following suit.

"It would literally be open season in the Deane for house builders.

"I am aware already that Gladman has a very similar scheme lined up in Creech St Michael, just outside my county council division.

"I am sure many other developers will want to jump on the bandwagon if this appeal succeeds."


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Another councillor says she doesn't want to see the appeal go through, as the town is struggling with stretched infrastructure already.

Town cllr Lynda Russell-Cairns said: "The town’s infrastructure is already stretched nearly to breaking point without this huge extra unplanned development.

"Patients are struggling to get appointments to see their GPs, all of the primary schools are full, and traffic jams already frequently clog up our roads.

"It is vital we protect Wellington by sticking to properly considered sites for new developments."