CONTROVERSIAL plans for two bungalows to be built on a half-acre of scrubland next to the Basins green space in Wellington have been refused.

Collier Planning applied for the development on behalf of landowner Jim Hill, of Walter Hill (Properties) Ltd, who proposed to gift other nearby Basins land to a ‘public body’ as an ‘important green leisure resource for the local community’.

Simon Collier accepted the site behind Riverside and Springfield Road was outside the town’s development boundary.

But he said the fact Gladman Developments had been given consent in 2018 for housebuilding in Rockwell Green which was also beyond the limit showed it could be approved.

Mrs Collier said the site off Corams Lane was clearly in a location which would be highly-sustainable in transport terms and where future occupiers would be within easy walking and cycling distance of a wide range of services and facilities provided in the town.

He said the site had previously been given permission more than 40 years ago in the 1980s for 10 two-bedroom flats to be built.

Mr Collier said Somerset Council could only demonstrate a 3.17 years supply of housing land within the Taunton Deane area when it was required to have a five-year supply.

This meant a ‘tilted balance’ should be applied and the council had to accept sites which might not usually be approved, because the key objective of national policy was to boost the supply of housing.

Mr Collier said the plans included a proposed path which would provide a rear access for residents of Riverside.

But Somerset Council planning officer Anthony Pick said the land was in what was known as Wellington’s ‘green corridor’ separating that side of the town from Rockwell Green and went against policies intended to protect open spaces.

Mr Pick said although the council did not have a five-year supply of housing land, the harm arising from impact of the proposed development on the openness, character, and appearance of the ‘green corridor’ would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited social and economic benefits of the two new homes.

He said: “The development would erode the open character and strategic function of the green wedge, setting an undesirable precedent for further encroachment and undermining the effectiveness of this important policy designation.”

Mr Pick said although it was said there was a proposal by Mr Hill to offer up land as an amenity area, no details had been provided of any discussion taking place.

He said: “In summary, the adverse impacts of the scheme would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

The plans had been strongly opposed by Wellington Town Council, which was concerned at the impact on the green corridor environment, wildlife, biodiversity, and local residents.

Somerset Council also received 26 letters of objection from local residents, with just one expressing support for the provision of more bungalows in the town.

Objectors expressed concern about the harm which would be caused to the green corridor environment and wildlife and the Wellington Basins local nature reserve.