MEMBERS of the public are being asked to share their views on a newly proposed 75 home development.
The planning consultancy, Polden Planning are currently seeking views from WellingtonTown Council and local community about the potential for a new housing development near Chelston Roundabout.
This follows the recent proposal by Pegasus Group Ltd to build 250 new homes along the A38 Wellington Relief Road.
The potential development would include up to 75 new homes at a site (which is currently arable land) located next to Westpark, on West Buckland Road. The consultancy are also involved in detailed pre-application discussions with officers at Somerset Council.
The planning company will be attending the upcoming Wellington Town Council meeting to assess local opinion. The meeting is set to take place on Monday, April 7.
A spokesperson from Polden Planning has said: “We understand that pressure is growing for more new houses in Somerset, particularly in the context of new mandatory Government housing figures published in December 2024.
“We believe that this site is a logical and appropriately sized extension for growth, on the right side of Wellington where there is excellent access to the M5 without putting more traffic through the town itself, and all the right facilities at Westpark and, in time, Jurston Fields to support new homeowners in Wellington.
“We encourage everyone to visit our website and give their views at this early stage and ahead of a formal planning application submission.
The proposed site is earmarked for development in the Wellington Place Plan, a planning scheme which was adopted by Somerset Council in 2023. The Place Plan identifies a number of growth scenarios - or areas of prospective development - intended to feature in the council’s forthcoming Local Plan.
In planning terms, the West Buckland Road site is unconstrained, being located outside of any flood zone, protected landscape, Green Belt or ecological designation. Although the site is outside of the defined settlement boundary, Polden Planning consider that it is sustainably located given its proximity to Jurston Fields, Westpark and Chelston Business Park.
The planners have suggested the implementation of a landscape buffer between the proposed development and West Buckland Road to assimilate the development into what is a transitionary site from urban to rural.
Ecology surveys have been carried out to establish whether any protected species are using the site, the value of any habitat present and the means of securing biodiversity protection and enhancement within the development.
Polden Planning have said that a future planning application would ensure that hedgerows are retained and extended, extensive new tree planting is included and allow for a commitment to 10% betterment overall in terms of overall biodiversity value of the site in line with current legislation.
No planning application has been submitted to date. The intention is to submit an outline planning application for up to 75 homes (including 19 affordable homes) this summer.
The application would also include planning for any additional access, pedestrian and cycle links, a play area, drainage, landscaping and associated infrastructure.