Outline proposals by developers to build 164 homes on a large greenfield site at the rear of Charlton Park, Midsomer Norton, running back towards the White Post Inn have caused outrage amongst many local people.
Such is the strength of feeling that an action group has already been formed to fight proposals by Strategic Land Partnerships and other groups across the area are beginning to lend support.
"Building 164 more houses on a greenfield site, outside the planning box, is ridiculous when you think of all the existing local brownfield sites such as Alcan and Welton Bag, as well as places like Withies Bridge already delivering more houses. When the community inputted to the Core Strategy, there was general recognition that with one of the highest commute-out rates in the South West, the last thing our local infrastructure can cope with is thousands more houses," said Cliff Shellard, Chairman of the newly-formed Fosseway Campaign Group.
He continued: "Certainly the battle lines for this controversial development will be fought over the issue of sustainability. Where would people from 164 houses work? Local schools, roads and healthcare services will all find it impossible to cope to meet with such an enormous increase on scarce resources. Added to which, there are obvious environmental concerns likely to surface with a threat to yet more greenfield space being lost."
Local campaigners are encouraging people to go along to Strategic Land Partnership pre-application consultation at the Centurion Hotel today, Thursday, 18th October, from noon to 8.00 p.m., to give their views.