BARRISTERS locked horns on the first day of a public inquiry into plans to build new homes on a “unique” green space.

Packsaddle Fields, which lies on Frome’s northern edge, has been in public ownership since 1973 and was originally earmarked for a new school.

Somerset County Council announced in March 2022 that it was planning to sell the land off, entering into an agreement with housing association LiveWest – who put forward plans for 74 homes and a children’s home on the site in March 2023.

Somerset Council’s planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area) voted to refuse planning permission on January 7, echoing locals’ desire to protect the landscape – prompting LiveWest to lodge an appeal.

The developer, the council and pressure group People for Packsaddle have now made their respective cases to the Planning Inspectorate at a public inquiry – with a final ruling being expected by the end of the year.

Giles Cannock KC, instructed by LiveWest, said that the council had categorically failed to address Somerset’s housing crisis and this site was urgently required to help meet local needs.

He said: “We are in the middle of the most acute housing crisis in living memory. The dream of home ownership is out of reach for too many.

“The need for affordable housing is acute – it is clear that even modest housing can be unaffordable for many in the local area.”

“This proposal delivers the significant benefit of more market and affordable housing, surrounded on three sides by residential streets.”

Of the 74 homes planned for the site, 22 per cent will be affordable (the equivalent of 16 properties) – far below the council’s 30 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more within the former Mendip area.

Mr Cannock confirmed that the children’s home had been included within the plans at the council’s insistence – and that if it could not be delivered (by a third party), the land would be re-purposed as public open space rather than being used for further housing.

Harley Ronan delivered a further statement on behalf of People for Packsaddle, a local pressure group which has consistently opposed efforts to build on the land. The group has been instrumental in trying to register the site as an asset of community value.

Mr Ronan said: “The value of these fields in land use and planning terms principally derives from their use as public open space.

“It has been instrumental in garnering a great community spirit, and helps many older people avoid social isolation.

“The fields’ history creates a highly distinctive area with rich character. It is extremely unusual to have this rich unusual amenity space so close to development – there is nothing remotely like it nearby. It is unique.”

The inquiry will sit for a further three days, including a site visit towards the end of the week, with a final decision expected to be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s official website by the early-autumn.