A COUNCILLOR has said that hundreds of people who have signed an online petition opposing the potential sale and development of Fox’s Field at Tonedale are worrying needlessly.

Cllr John Thorne has said that the fields behind the former Fox’s factory at Tonedale are ‘extremely unlikely’ to be used for housing in the future.

“I fully understand the concerns people may have about the potential sale of the fields at Tonedale, but as a Wellington Town Council ward member for that area, I can assure residents that there is little need for worry,” he said.

“These fields are not allocated in Taunton Deane Borough Council’s core strategy which guides where housing and other development should take place in Wellington up to 2028, and extremely unlikely to be in the next strategy which is likely to cover up to 2045.

“I can see that what has given rise to the concern is the phrase in the estate agent’s sales blurb which says the land ‘could well have some long-term hope value’.

However, people should not lose sight of the fact that the fields are actually being sold as ‘agricultural land’ which is how the estate agent describes the site.”

Cllr Thorne added: “It is brilliant that the community has come together over this matter and hundreds of people have signed a petition which may be presented to the town council because it shows the strength of public feeling.

“These fields have been a part of my life since childhood, when I used to roam across them from the Basins and out to Winsbeer and back again, which I still do today with my sons, so I have a huge attachment to the area.”

Just over 350 people have signed the petition which was launched on the charge.org website by Gina Deacon, who said the fields were greatly enjoyed by the public.

“To sell it for development will lose all it currently offers – not just for now but for the future,” she said.

“I feel safe in Fox’s Field, I feel relaxed there and enjoy the peace, the birds, the fresh air and especially the bank of the river which so many dogs enjoy a good swim from.

“It is an oasis of calm which I believe many people enjoy.”