CAMPAIGN group Protect Wellington, fresh from successfully leading opposition to plans to build 250 houses in the open countryside outside the town, wants to broaden its role and work more closely with local councillors.

The group is setting out a vision for future housing development in Wellington which it hopes will be shared by local unitary, town, and parish councillors.

It follows Somerset Council’s refusal last week of a Pegasus Group planning application for a housing estate development in agricultural fields near Middle Green Farm, to the south of the A38 relief road.

Protect Wellington was established in 2023 following a public meeting held when news first emerged of the Pegasus plans.

The meeting brought together concerned residents who wanted to better understand what was the possible impact of large-scale housing development on Wellington and its surrounding areas.

The following year saw a core group of about 10 residents form Protect Wellington, since when the group has met monthly to monitor planning activity and discuss a range of local development proposals, including the Pegasus proposal.

Once Pegasus submitted its application in 2025, Protect Wellington became increasingly active in raising awareness of the proposal and encouraging public engagement in the planning process.

The group organised two demonstrations, one in March, and the other in April as part of a national Community Planning Alliance (CPA) day of action opposing inappropriate development, maintained an active presence on social media, and worked closely with local and national media to communicate concerns to the wider community.

The campaign focused on issues including pressure on roads, schools, healthcare provision, drainage, loss of farmland and wildlife, impact on Wellington’s character, and wider concerns about the scale of development not being proportionate to the town’s infrastructure and available resources.

It believes the refusal of the Pegasus plans marks an important moment for community-led engagement in local planning matters.

A Protect Wellington spokesperson said: “While we welcome the refusal of the application, Protect Wellington has never been anti-development.

“We recognise the need for housing, but believe growth must be proportionate, sustainable, and properly supported by infrastructure and services.”

Now, Protect Wellington intends to broaden its role and to work constructively with both Wellington Town Council and Wellington Without Parish Council, as well as Somerset Council, which is the local planning authority, to help shape future housing development in the town.

The group’s future focus will include engaging with local authorities to support the creation of a housing strategy which delivers homes in a way which is sustainable, proportionate to Wellington’s size and specific housing needs, and does not overwhelm the town’s infrastructure, services, or environmental assets.

The spokesperson said Protect Wellington believed local communities should play an active role in shaping how towns grow and evolve, ensuring future development reflects both housing need and quality of life for residents.

They said anybody who was interested in following Protect Wellington’s work or being involved in it should connect through the group’s Facebook page or other community channels.