Residents of Wellington, Somerset, are raising alarms over the rapid pace of new housing developments that threaten to overwhelm their town and transform it into a commuter spillover zone. Once celebrated for its unique charm and convenient access to the M5 motorway and the scenic Blackdown Hills, Wellington and its neighboring village Rockwell Green now face the prospect of significant expansion — with potentially damaging consequences.
In spring 2023, the Wellington Place Plan was adopted to guide sustainable housing and employment growth. However, the newly formed community group Protect Wellington is demanding that any housing projects beyond this plan be rejected. The group warns that unchecked development could exacerbate local flooding, erode the town’s distinct character, and strain essential services including schools, healthcare facilities, and transportation infrastructure.
Frank Sherlock, spokesperson for Protect Wellington, stressed that the group is not against development altogether but is deeply concerned about the rapid pace and scale of proposed projects. “Government directives to build 1.5 million new homes nationwide over five years seem to be overshadowing local insights and community needs,” Sherlock said. “The push from commercial developers appears to be prioritized over the well-being of our residents.”
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Currently, Wellington houses approximately 5,800 homes. Proposed projects could add roughly 1,800 more, representing a 30% increase in housing stock. This includes ongoing construction at Jurston Fields and Monument View, as well as a newly approved 200-home development on Nynehead Road slated to include critical infrastructure like a spine road for the planned railway station. Additionally, 315 homes and a convenience store will be built on Exeter Road in Rockwell Green following a successful appeal by Gladman Developments.
Concerns also extend to several other sites awaiting planning approval or currently under consultation. Sherlock cautioned that development beyond the Wellington Place Plan “may set a precedent for uncontrolled expansion along the corridor between Wellington and the M5,” compounding pressures on local schools, healthcare providers, sewage systems, roads, and public transport.
The potential fallout, he warned, includes a loss of Wellington’s identity as a historic market town surrounded by countryside, and increased risk of local flooding—a problem underscored by incidents on the A38 in late 2023. “Without sustainable planning that balances growth with community needs—such as affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades—Wellington risks becoming just another commuter town, losing its voice in the process,” Sherlock added.
Protect Wellington is now calling on Somerset Council and Wellington Town Council to conduct an urgent, transparent review of all current and proposed housing developments. The group insists that any expansion must be carefully planned and supported by robust improvements to the town’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the government is expected to announce its decision on the future of the Wellington railway station project on June 11, as part of a broader spending review.