Writhlington Action Group, which formed in response to a 2019 planning application for 160 new homes in the village and successfully saw off the developer’s plans to build on agricultural land, are rallying the troops again with new proposals expected for even more – this time, 270 homes. The same applicant, Gladman Developments, based in Cheshire, has reportedly approached Radstock Town Council in a ‘sounding-out’ exercise, with a planning application expected in late summer/early autumn. Depending on where the boundaries fall on the land, this will go in to either Mendip District Council or B&NES Council (or both) for a decision, with Radstock Town Council expected to comment.

A spokesperson for Writhlington Action Group told The Journal:

“Writhlington Action Group (WAG) is in full agreement with Radstock Councillor, Bruce Shearn. His letter in last week’s Journal details a potential development of over 100 dwellings in Writhington, which we now understand is 270 houses, comprising 200 in B&NES and 70 homes in Mendip.

“Our village is in a vulnerable position to unscrupulous development as it is in B&NES and bordered by Mendip Council. Mendip Council should not be meeting their housing requirements by permitting developments on the border of B&NES, where Mendip provide no infrastructure or facilities, merely relying on those in B&NES.

“Whilst we understand there is a national housing shortage, new sites need to be in appropriate locations and take full account of the Climate Emergency declared by Radstock, B&NES and Mendip Councils. The sites proposed by the developer Gladman, on behalf of the Ammerdown Estate, are productively farmed fields which provide open space and are rich in history, flora and fauna. This historic and natural environment needs to be preserved for future generations.

“A development of this size would have a severe and cumulative effect on the traffic system. The A362 is already a busy road with hidden dips, access to/from a new development and the increased traffic would add significantly to safety concerns including an existing problem with surface water flooding.

“The five-way junction near Writhlington Academy is extremely busy and hazardous for drivers and pedestrians at peak times. The safety of the students from the three schools, who are forced to navigate it, is already compromised. Additional traffic will only exacerbate the problem.

“Public transport is very poor, and due to the very hilly nature of the area it is inappropriate to suggest people could walk or cycle to work, shop or access local services. Commuters cannot use public transport to get to Bristol, Frome, Bath or beyond for a normal working day. We should be reducing, not increasing, traffic on the roads.

“Contrary to Council policy, this development would add nothing to the community and would merely overload all local facilities.

“Writhlington is a village community that would be swamped by a development of this size. The infrastructure will not support such a development with local services such as the doctor and dentist already stretched beyond capacity.

“There are Brownfield sites that have not been developed in the Somer Valley. These should be developed before Green Field sites are even considered.”