AN appeal over the future of a piece of land in Wellington is set to start this morning. 

Gladman Developments Ltd applied for permission to build 205 homes on land near Bagley Road, Rockwell Green, 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 today (February 13) and is expected to last four days.

The developer will argue that Taunton Deane is unable to meet its 5-year housing land supply during the public enquiry.  

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.

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."