PROPOSALS for 250 houses to be built in fields below Wellington Monument have been described by guardians of the Blackdown Hills as ‘speculative’ and to be ‘resisted’.

Pegasus Group wants to develop land around Middle Green Farm, on the south side of Wellington Relief Road.

It would be the first time the town’s A38 boundary had been breached if Somerset Council was to approve the plans.

Campaign group Protect Wellington has been opposing the plans, which it said would change the character of the countryside bordering the town.

It is holding a rally on land opposite Swains Lane, next to the proposed site, on Thursday, March 12, followed by a march into the centre of Wellington.

Now, the Blackdown Hills National Landscape has come out against the Pegasus housing estate, which would be clearly visible from the monument and other vantage points on the escarpment, previously designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Planning officer Lisa Turner said: “We consider speculative development around the edge of settlements within and adjacent to the designated AONB should be resisted and that a plan-led approach to development ensures impacts on the National Landscape can be properly considered, alongside other planning issues.

“In this regard, we are mindful of Wellington Place Plan, which emphasises how the town’s landscape setting is an important part of its identity, seeking to preserve and enhance views to the surrounding hills that provide such a sense of visual and physical containment.

“It is particularly noted how it concludes development to the south of the town, and south of the A38, is not favoured.”

Ms Turner said Pegasus’ plans illustrated a detrimental effect on ‘landscape setting and erosion of these special qualities’.

She said there was a blurring of the clear separation of town and country, with potential harm to views to the Brendon, Quantock, and Blackdown Hills.