RESIDENTS are furious that Somerset Council has decided against contesting an appeal against Gladman Developers from building 315 homes on land at Rockwell Green.
A public inquiry into the Gladman application is due to start on March 11 and it is feared the developers will get permission from a planning inspector to go-ahead with the project – despite widespread opposition from local councillors and residents.
Gladman appealed to the Government-backed Planning Inspectorate in a bid to get the green light for the development. The proposals for the planned housing estate on land east of Exeter Road also include the building of a convenience store, public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system and a vehicle access point.
The developers had originally submitted plans to Somerset Council in October 2023, but despite holding a public consultation exercise and various discussions and correspondence with planning officers, nothing had been determined by the planning authority. Now the developers have gone to the Planning Inspectorate in the hope of getting a positive response.
There was a lot of opposition from members of the public when details of the proposals were first outlined and Wellington Town Council’s planning committee had originally recommended in November 2023 that the 315-home application should be refused because “a further increase in population will cause additional strain on already struggling services.”
Opponents to the scheme are angry that Somerset Council has indicated it will not contest the forthcoming appeal.
Residents attended the town council’s monthly meeting on February 3 where they spoke of their concerns about the proposed development.
One said: “Wellington is a very special place and we want it to stay special.”
All of them mentioned the harm the development would cause local wildlife with otters, bats, deer, foxes, badgers and grass snakes all seen.
A resident said she was amazed when she had commented on Somerset Council’s planning portal website that she had seen “otters” in the area and was informed that she had to take out the word “otters” and replace it with “wildlife” or her comment would be refused to be published. Otters are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
Cllr Andy Govier, who shared the concerns of the residents at the meeting, said: “I’m extremely disappointed and frustrated that we are in this position. We wrote to Somerset Council with a list of concerns about this application.
“We must try and make the best of a bad job and meet with Gladman and Somerset Council and challenge them on some of our concerns.
“The decision will go in favour of Gladman because there is no real opposition from Somerset Council. The horse has gone well over the hill by now – let alone bolted from the stable.”
Cllr John Thorne confirmed that he too had heard people say they had seen otters in the area.
Cllr Ross Henley added: “There is deep frustration in Wellington. This is another large development coming while we haven’t got the infrastructure to support it. Our concerns are being ignored.”