Members of Wellington Town Council discussed plans for another major development on the outskirts of our town this week.
The proposal by the Cheshire-based Carden Group seeks permission for up to 225 homes on 12.7 hectares of land north of Taunton Road – opposite Mount Vets.
The town council issued a statement outlining its position after the September meeting on Monday.
It said: “A key concern for the council was that the site sits just outside of the Wellington Town Council boundary in West Buckland so there was a risk that any funding to improve facilities in the town – outside of statutory provision for education and health – would not be available to the town despite the fact that residents on the development would most likely use Wellington facilities rather than West Buckland.
“The same applied to any future income through the town council element of the Council Tax.
The town council agreed to support the development in principle on condition that:
- the council’s boundary was reviewed so that the site came within the town council boundary;
- that appropriate funding was allocated to improve the full range of infrastructure needs that the development, and others, will bring;
- that traffic management proposals are reviewed to ensure that the effects of the increase in traffic caused by the development are effectively mitigated especially during peak travel times.
The design and access statement accompanying the planning application says it will be “a new, sustainable neighbourhood … integrated with the existing market town, complementing Wellington’s character and landscape setting, and having a well-rounded sense of identity and community.
“The new neighbourhood will benefit from generous green open spaces connecting to the surrounding countryside, footpath network and well managed waterways.
“These will provide rich and diverse habitats and valuable community, leisure and recreational spaces.”
ABOVE: The proposed site off Taunton Road.
BELOW: Imagery taken from the design and access statement by RAMP Studio.
How long will it be that Wellington will lose its identity and be a part of the A38 Taunton corridor?
More housing on prime agricultural land again. More houses, more runoff when it rains, more flooding. There are plenty of brownfield sites to choose from and get redeveloped.
When is Wellington getting a new school?
When is Wellington getting a new GP surgery?
When is Wellington getting a new NHS dentist?
No, Wellington is getting over 200 more houses.
Cannot believe this. We will not have any countryside left and will simply merge with Taunton. Is there a GP surgery and school with this development? Traffic will become much worse and increase flooding and damage the environment. With the proposed development at Wardleworth Way. This will mean 500 more cars leaving Wellington at peak times and only one way out! Why can we not stop building NOW. Wellington has enough homes and no employment opportunities so people will have to travel for work. Whatever happened to common sense?