Residents of Westonzoyland, Somerset, have initiated a legal challenge to halt plans that would drastically increase waste processing on the county’s historic Westonzoyland Airfield, which they fear will transform the site into a “wasteland” and harm the environment and local well-being.
Westonzoyland Airfield, located east of the village near Bridgwater, is partly crossed by the A372 and currently home to Towens of Weston Ltd., a recycled aggregates business operating under an Environment Agency (EA) permit. The company stores and processes soil, rubble, and inert waste materials on the site.
In June 2024, Somerset Council approved Towens of Weston’s plan to store up to 85,000 tonnes of material for up to three years, largely sourced from greenfield development projects near Bridgwater. Much of this soil was intended to support flood prevention efforts at Southlake Moor, Curry Moor, and Westmoor reservoirs.
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However, Westonzoyland Parish Council quickly filed a judicial review against the decision, which was upheld by the High Court in October 2024, overturning the council’s approval. Now, the parish council is contesting the EA’s proposal to quadruple the site’s annual inert waste processing capacity to 200,000 tonnes.
Parish councillor Liz Parfitt expressed deep concerns about the environmental impact of this expansion. “Westonzoyland Airfield, a site of historical and ecological importance, risks becoming a wasteland filled with unsightly, dusty, and odorous waste piles dangerously close to sensitive conservation areas,” she said.
The parish council fears that the permit extension threatens neighboring protected sites: the Langmead and Weston Level Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar site, and a national nature reserve. Parfitt highlighted risks including air pollution, dust and gas emissions, bioaerosols, and potential contamination of local rhynes, which could devastate the local ecosystem.
The new permit would also allow increased transport activity by heavy goods vehicles near residential areas just 100 meters away, raising concerns about human health risks. Parfitt warned that the airfield currently experiences heavy traffic congestion and environmental pollution, describing it as “resembling a battlefield” due to constant HGV convoys and pollution issues.
To support the legal challenge, Westonzoyland Parish Council has launched a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise an initial £1,000 for legal advice and expert analysis to respond to the EA consultation. If successful, the council plans to raise an additional £10,000 to fund a full judicial review.
Parfitt urged community support, stating, “Every donation, no matter the size, helps us protect our wildlife, countryside, heritage, and community. Together, we can safeguard our village and unique environment for future generations.”