COUNCILLORS have said ‘No’ to meeting with developers to discuss potential housing plans on fields below the historic Wellington Monument.

Nearly 50 worried residents attended Wellington Town Council’s planning meeting on Wednesday (May 3).

They told councillors of their concerns about the potential proposals by Pegasus Group to build up to 250 homes to the south of the Wellington Relief Road on the other side of the A38 from the Burrough Way and Barn Meads Road developments.

People were told that a planning application had not yet been submitted to the Somerset Council unitary authority and councillors were there only to discuss an invitation by Pegasus to attend a meeting with the company to discuss the potential of building on land south of Oldway Road.

Cllr John Thorne said: “We are not here to talk about the rights and wrongs of the plans. Pegasus has been talking with the old Somerset West and Taunton Council and now the new Somerset Council about their plans, and they are entitled to do that.

“They are developing their plans on what the planning officers are telling them, but I am filled with dread at the thought of this application going through.

“I would like to propose that we do not meet with Pegasus.”

Cllr Thorne suggested that if the town council met with the developers it might look as if councillors were looking to do business with them.

“There is no point in holding that meeting – it is not appropriate to speak with them just now.

“If they are foolish to put in a planning application they will get the full feeling of the community.”

Cllr Sam Brooker said: “We do not want to see any development on the other side of the A38 and we should stick to that.

“We should not be meeting with Pegasus to discuss this – let alone entertain the idea.”

Cllr Keith Wheatley said it was ‘marvellous’ to see so many people attend the meeting to show their concerns about the possible housing development.

“You as a group of residents have more power than we do as councillors,” he told them.

“We as a council cannot campaign in the same way as a big residents’ group.

“You need to start to think about the way you will harness your opposition.”

Earlier, residents had told councillors of their fears about seeing open countryside destroyed by housing development.

One resident, Sarah Shelley, said: “Developers are very happy to come along and dig up our green fields – it is dreadful.”

“These fields are very important,” said Ali Mitchell. “There is lots of wildlife there and give stunning views of the Wellington Monument. I have seen deer in those fields.”

Another objector, Tracey Waters, said: “We will be putting the views of the monument at risk. Does the need for this development outweigh the harm it will cause?”

Councillors voted overwhelmingly against meeting with Pegasus for any pre-application meeting.