COUNCILLORS have said they fully support taking extra action to safeguard land south of the A38 on the outskirts of Wellington from being built on – but they will bide their time before going into battle with developers.

Members of Wellington Town Council have strongly opposed controversial proposals put forward by the Pegasus Group to develop 34 acres of land around Middle Green Farm off Oldway Road by building 260 homes.

The plans were rejected by Somerset Council in April, but there is a strong possibility that Pegasus will appeal to a Government-backed inspector to review the plans and overturn the refusal notice.

Councillors heard at their full council meeting on August 3 that the developers have still yet to make a response and have until the end of October to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

Members of the council’s policy and finance committee recommended last month that the authority investigates fully a move to apply for “Rule 6” status, which could give them the right to be represented at any future appeal, depending on the procedure selected by the planning inspector.

If granted, “Rule 6” status would allow the town council to become a formal participant in the appeal rather than simply an interested observer.

But councillors will be mindful that any potential legal challenge will be expensive and the town council will need the full backing of Somerset Council at the appeal stage.

Councillors have therefore agreed to wait and see if Pegasus appeals – although highly likely – before looking to employ the services of a costly barrister, but have asked the council officers in the meantime to seek legal advice on applying for Rule 6 status.

Cllr Janet Lloyd said: “I’m in favour of this and getting our ducks in a row because I’m sure Pegasus will appeal.”

There are fears that if the Pegasus development eventually gets the go-ahead, it will set a precedent for more planning applications in the future which will see the green wedge between the M5 and Wellington turned into housing.

Cllr Steve Mercer said: “This affects the future of this town. We have to try and take a stand on this - it’s time for us to stand up and be measured for this town.”

Cllr Keith Wheatley said: “When the time comes there is no doubt about it – we will apply for Rule 6 status.

“But beyond that there are too many hypothetical circumstances on how much we spend on this, and it depends on how much Somerset Council is prepared to do.

“There will be around nine to 12 months between any appeal being lodged and an actual hearing – so we have got plenty of time, and I think we would be premature doing too much now.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Earlier in the meeting Frank Sherlock, of the Protect Wellington campaign group, said going for Rule 6 would give the council a “rare and highly valuable opportunity” to put local democracy into action.