COUNCILLORS have agreed to support plans for a new housing development – as long as the rules are changed to financially benefit Wellington Town Council.

Members of the town council met for their monthly meeting where they discussed a planning discussion, which had been submitted to Somerset Council, to build up to 225 homes on land north of Taunton Road.

Councillors were told that although the planned development site was within the parish of West Buckland, it would basically be an extension of Wellington.

Council chief executive, Dave Farrow, in a report, said: “The proposed development is located immediately adjacent to the town and residents are highly likely to rely upon Wellington for their day-to-day needs.”

These needs would include town centre retail and services, community facilities, recreation and leisure provision, public open spaces, library and cultural services, community events and activities.

But, at the present time, any financial rewards for the development would go to West Buckland Parish Council – although residents would predominantly be looking to Wellington for their day-to-day shopping and services.

West Buckland Parish Council would receive Community Infrastructure Levy funding – a planning charge that local authorities can levy on new developments to fund infrastructure needed to support growth. The parish council would also be in line for Section 106 funding from the developer as a condition as part of the planning permission.

Wellington Town Council would not receive anything – despite the town being the main focal point for residents of the planned new development.

Mr Farrow said: “It is reasonable to conclude that future residents will look primarily towards Wellington rather than West Buckland to meet many of their daily needs.

“Therefore, the town could experience substantial additional demand on local infrastructure and services whilst receiving little or none of the CIL neighbourhood funding or locally directed developer contributions arising from the development.”

Mr Farrow said the town council should ask Somerset Council to carefully consider that financial aspects of the development and that it reflects “actual patterns of use rather than purely administrative boundaries” – something which has naturally angered West Buckland Parish Council.

Vice-chairman of West Buckland Parish Council, Cllr Sarah Drury, attended Wellington’s council meeting on September 7, and said: “We have noticed you want the CIL money being directed to Wellington.

“We would very much welcome CIL money in West Buckland. As you can imagine West Buckland receiving CIL money is about as a rare as rocking horse droppings!”

And Cllr Drury, who was joined at the meeting by parish council chairman Cllr Charles Silverlight, added: “If this application is approved we absolutely categorically do not agree to Wellington Town Council having all of the CIL money.”

Town councillors voted in support of the planning application under the proviso that, if given approval by Somerset Council, that Wellington receives the CIL funding.

Cllr Justin Cole said: “This site isn’t a million miles away from being a sensible place to put these houses.”

And Cllr Keith Wheatley added: “In the real world we’re going to have to accept new housing in this town.”