A LARGE number of protestors gathered on Thursday (March 12) to oppose controversial plans to build 250 houses in fields around Middle Green Farm, outside Wellington’s development boundary.

Young and old walked side-by-side from the proposed development site up to South Street waving placards and discussing the implication the housing development could have on the town.

The march was organised by the campaign group Protect Wellington, which will be hosting a second protest outside the planning committee meeting in Taunton.

Michael Pollak, one of the organisers behind Protect Wellington, said: “I felt frustrated to learn about the application. I just think it is so wrong to have a development of this size, where are people going to work? Wellington will become a commuter town for Taunton and Bristol.”

Protect Wellington was formed to oppose what they say would be the first breach of the town’s A38 development boundary and seen as a precedent to allow more housing to be built along the entire southern side of the relief road.

The group believes the development would undermine the plan-led planning system and encourage speculative development on adjacent greenfield land, severely impacting local services.

It said valuable productive farmland would be lost forever, resulting in severe environmental damage, an increased risk of flooding, overloading of an already under strain sewage and drainage system, and more traffic congestion.

Jeannette Leg, protestor, said: “The proposed housing development site is full of history that will be destroyed. The view of the monument will be severely affected.”

Sian Padgett, protestor, said: “I have lived in Wellington for the past 25 years and the town is growing disproportionately. Green spaces are vital for mental health and exercise. I feel very strongly against this development.”

Both Wellington Town Council and Wellington Without Parish Council have given their support to the campaign.