A BATTLE to prevent hundreds of houses being built on farm fields outside the boundary of Wellington will be decided by a Government-appointed inspector after the firm behind it appealed refusal of its plans.

The application by Pegasus Group for 250 houses near Middle Green Farm, to the south of the A38 relief road, was rejected in April by Somerset Council.

Now, an appeal has been lodged as the company pursues a housing development which many believe would lead eventually to development along the entire southern side of the relief road if it was successful.

Town councillors will on Monday (July 13) consider an unprecedented legal move to apply for ‘Rule 6’ status which could give them the right to be represented at the appeal, depending on the procedure selected by the inspector.

Chief executive Dave Farrow said ‘Rule 6’ could apply when there were local issues which might not otherwise be fully presented and where ‘significant community impacts’ required independent representation, or the proposal had ‘strategic implications for the parish’.

He said: “If granted ‘Rule 6’ status the council would become a formal participant rather than simply an interested observer.

“Its evidence may carry greater weight than general public comments, particularly where it is supported by clear local evidence.

“The council could challenge the developer’s evidence directly through questioning of expert witnesses.”

Mr Farrow said it would mean Wellington was not reliant only on Somerset Council to raise specific local concerns and would be able to continue the case even if the unitary authority dropped out.

However, he said: “Professional advice and representation may incur costs running from several thousand pounds to substantially more, depending on the length and complexity of the appeal.

Nearby Trull Parish Council was quoted £30,000 to £50,000 when it sought ‘Rule 6’ status over a development in Comeytrowe.