A cherished ‘green wedge’ near Taunton has been safeguarded after plans to build 125 homes were unanimously turned down by local councillors. This green wedge — part of a network identified in the Taunton Deane Core Strategy to protect key landscapes and prevent urban sprawl — faced potential development, but strong community opposition helped secure its protection.
On February 4, Somerset Council’s planning and transport policy executive sub-committee decisively rejected a proposal to remove the ‘Trull Ridge green wedge’ designation. Just weeks later, at the Planning Committee West meeting on February 24, councillors defied recommendations from planning officers and refused permission for housing on a segment of the same green wedge near Comeytrowe Road.
Developer BSL Strategic Ltd had proposed 125 homes, including 31 affordable units, on agricultural land east of existing homes. Plans included a new spine road connecting Comeytrowe Road and College Way, and upgrading a nearby footpath. Despite meeting the council’s 25% affordable housing requirement, local residents and councillors expressed deep concerns about the development’s impact.
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Trull locals voiced passionate objections. Sam Allen highlighted the area’s strong community spirit, rooted in the green wedge’s protection, questioning why officers recommended development shortly after the wedge’s status was upheld. Alan Sawyer warned that approving the scheme would threaten Trull’s identity and urged the council to heed its residents to prevent further erosion of green spaces.
Concerns extended to environmental and infrastructure impacts. Martine Naughton, Chair of Trull Parish Council, cautioned that the land acts as a natural sponge for floodwaters, and hard landscaping would heighten flooding risks despite proposed drainage systems. She also flagged overburdened healthcare and education services, stressing that adding hundreds of new residents without comprehensive planning is unsustainable.
Councillors reinforced these views. Dawn Johnson emphasized that the green wedge policy is vital to maintain the distinct character and separation of Taunton and Trull. Habib Farbahi warned of traffic congestion on narrow local roads, especially with potential restrictions on Comeytrowe Road, undermining the reliability of traffic models used to justify the plans. Caroline Ellis lamented the irreversible loss of countryside that gives Taunton its unique charm.
Though some, like Councillor Norman Cavill, raised no highway safety objections and cautioned against being swayed by emotion, the committee ultimately voted unanimously to reject the development. This aligned with strong community sentiment and the council’s commitment to preserving green wedges as essential buffers for the region.
BSL Strategic Ltd has yet to announce whether it will appeal the council’s decision, but for now, the green wedge near Taunton remains a vital green lung, cherished by residents and protected from encroaching development.