A planning inquiry has commenced regarding proposals to build 125 new homes on the “Trull Ridge green wedge,” a designated green space in Somerset. The land, considered a vital “green wedge” between Taunton and its neighbouring villages, is intended to prevent urban sprawl and protect the character of the area.
The green wedges concept was established in the Taunton Deane Core Strategy, which was approved by the Planning Inspectorate in July 2012. This strategy identifies nine key landscapes around Taunton as green wedges to safeguard the environment and prevent the merging of towns and villages.
In February, Somerset Council’s planning and transport policy executive sub-committee decisively rejected a proposal to review and potentially remove the Trull Ridge green wedge designation. Subsequently, the council’s planning committee voted to refuse an application submitted by BSL Strategic Ltd to develop 125 homes on the western part of the wedge.
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Following the refusal, the developer appealed the decision in May, prompting the current public inquiry, which is anticipated to conclude with a decision by the end of the year.
The proposed development includes constructing a new spine road linking Comeytrowe Road and College Way, along with upgrades to an existing footpath on the site’s western edge. Of the proposed homes, 31 would be designated as affordable housing, meeting the council’s 25 per cent target for developments exceeding ten dwellings within the former Taunton Deane area.
Planning inspector Beverley Wilders opened the inquiry on Tuesday, 8 September, at Taunton Racecourse. Presentations were delivered by representatives of the developer, Somerset Council, and Trull Parish Council.
Christian Hawley, representing the developer, argued that the council’s refusal lacks justification due to the absence of a five-year housing land supply. He highlighted differing assessments of the housing shortfall, with the developer estimating a shortage of 1,583 dwellings (3.06 years’ supply) compared to the council’s figure of 979 dwellings (3.80 years’ supply). Hawley emphasised that the Somerset Local Plan remains in early development and will take years before adoption, underlining the need to address housing needs promptly.
Acknowledging that the development would cause some harm to the landscape and character of the area, Hawley stated that this harm is less significant than suggested by the council and Trull Parish Council.
Conversely, Clare Parry, representing Somerset Council, stressed that green wedges have been a fundamental part of local planning policy since the mid-1980s, serving to prevent the coalescence of communities and preserve countryside within the town’s limits. She noted that over half of the green wedge would be transformed from open agricultural land to housing, hard surfaces, landscaping, and other development elements, substantially compromising its function.
Parry also mentioned a recent application for 74 homes on the eastern part of the Trull green wedge, which is currently under consultation. She reaffirmed that the green wedge’s role in maintaining community separation and rural character is strong, and that the proposed development would cause unacceptable harm to the landscape’s appearance and character.
Michael Feeney, representing Trull Parish Council, which raised funds through a crowd-sourcing campaign for legal costs, argued that the proposed development contradicts existing planning policy protecting the green wedge. He acknowledged the importance of housing provision but maintained that the plan-led system deems the site unsuitable for development. Feeney highlighted the green wedge’s countryside character and its role in preserving Trull’s identity as a distinct rural village, stressing that the development would severely undermine this function.
The inquiry is scheduled to last six days, including a site visit, with the inspector’s final ruling expected to be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website before Christmas. Meanwhile, Somerset Council is anticipated to decide on Strongvox Homes’ application for the eastern green wedge within the next six months.