A new campsite is set to be built near the M5 in Somerset following a successful appeal by developers. The site, located on Dipford Road in the parish of Trull, lies roughly midway between the village center and the Taunton Deane services, near junctions 25 and 26 on the M5.
Initially, Anthony Ormerod’s application was refused in August 2023, and a subsequent appeal also failed. However, after partnering with Cosy Barn Holidays Ltd and submitting revised plans for the same number of tents, the local council once again rejected the proposal in September 2025. The Planning Inspectorate has now overturned this decision, allowing the campsite to proceed, potentially within the next 12 months.
The campsite will be situated at the corner of Dipford Road and Sweethay Lane, close to the Galmington Stream and around a mile from a new housing development near Trull Cricket Club. The layout includes tent pitches concentrated in the middle of the site, bordered to the north by a newly planted wildflower meadow to promote biodiversity.
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A key modification from earlier proposals is the removal of a permanent amenities building in favor of seasonal, temporary shower and toilet facilities, which will be dismantled outside the tourist season. The campsite will operate annually from March 1 through September 30.
To protect the local environment, wastewater from the site will be treated via a package treatment plant installed near designated parking areas before being released into Galmington Stream. This system is designed to limit phosphate levels, preventing harm to the internationally protected Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site.
Planning Inspector Felicity Webber, who visited the site in January 2025, affirmed that the treatment plant adequately mitigates phosphate concerns. She also highlighted the planned orchard planting within the campsite, and the developers’ commitment to purchasing phosphate credits from fallowed agricultural land if necessary to further reduce environmental impact.
Addressing concerns about the site’s impact on local character, Ms. Webber praised revisions made since the initial appeal. Changes include adjustments to tent size and style, removal of raised wooden platforms, and expanded landscape and orchard planting, which will soften the visual effect over time. She concluded that any negative impact on the area’s appearance would be minor and temporary.
Although the site is somewhat remote from local shops and amenities—meaning visitors will mostly rely on private cars—the inspector found the location appropriate for sustainable rural tourism. The project aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework and the Trull Neighbourhood Plan, which supports diversification of farm businesses.
A related application for legal costs by the developers was dismissed, concluding the appeal process.