Residents of the Somerset village of Trull have rallied together to oppose a proposed development of 125 homes on the Trull Ridge ‘green wedge’ area, successfully raising £30,000 in just one week to fund their fight.
In late February, Somerset Council’s planning committee voted to reject the housing plans submitted by developer BSL Strategic Ltd. However, the developer lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in early May, triggering a public inquiry scheduled for September.
Trull Parish Council swiftly resolved in late May to contest the appeal alongside Somerset Council. They pledged an initial £3,000 towards legal fees and launched a CrowdJustice campaign to raise an additional £27,000 to hire a barrister to represent the community during the inquiry. The campaign raised an impressive £26,000, with the parish council committing to cover the remaining balance.
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Under ‘Rule 6 status,’ parish councils such as Trull can appoint their own barristers to participate fully in planning inquiries, including cross-examining witnesses. This legal stance was successfully used recently by the People of Packsaddle group in Frome to fend off a similar housing appeal.
At a special meeting on June 8, Trull Parish Council chair Martine Naughton praised the community’s overwhelming support: “To see our community unite so powerfully to raise over £25,621 is inspiring. Thanks to this incredible crowdfunding effort and the council’s backing, we now have the legal resources needed to protect our village.”
The total estimated cost to defend the appeal—including legal representation and expert witnesses—is £30,250. The parish council’s initial £3,000 and £25,931 raised through CrowdJustice bring the total funds raised to nearly £29,000, with less than £1,500 still required. Donations remain open for two more weeks at www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-trull-ridge.
Trull Parish Council has also agreed to cover additional associated costs, such as CrowdJustice’s administrative fees, allowing legal preparation for the inquiry to proceed. Residents are encouraged to submit detailed local evidence highlighting concerns over landscape damage, environmental impacts, and traffic congestion.
Anyone wishing to make formal representations directly to the Planning Inspectorate should visit www.acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk and quote case number 6008715 before the June 22 deadline.
Vice-chairman Nick Hancock lauded the community’s achievement: “Raising such a significant sum in a short period is phenomenal. Support from neighboring areas, like Comeytrowe, has been fantastic, and any further funds raised will be a welcome bonus.”
The public inquiry is set to begin on September 8, with the venue to be announced closer to the date. It will include a site visit by the inspector, and a final decision is expected before Christmas.