Despite a housing application for 160 homes on farmland in Writhlington having been rejected by B&NES Council in 2019, the developer, Gladman, on behalf of Ammerdown Estate, is now proposing an even larger development of 255 homes on productive arable land in Writhlington.

The proposal involves two fields, one of which is partly in Mendip and the rest lies within B&NES.

Writhlington Action Group (WAG), held an open meeting last Thursday, 23rd September to review and discuss the latest Gladman proposal. The meeting was extremely well attended by villagers and local Councillors. After much discussion, there was overwhelming agreement that the development should not go ahead for a number of reasons,

including:

· The development is contrary to national and local policies regarding planning and the environment.

· The fields are productive arable fields; the farmer will lose his four year crop rotation if two fields are taken for housing: we need more, not less arable land.

· The fields in question act as soakaways in heavy rain and any development would lead to more

flooding – since the 2015

development in Orchid Way, flooding has increased significantly.

· The development would have a substantial impact on traffic congestion and capacity on already overloaded roads. Increasing traffic would also impact heavily on road safety, putting the children walking to the two schools and crossing Frome Road in this area at greater risk.

· Public transport is limited and cycling and walking are not feasible due to the very hilly landscape. Residents in a new development will inevitably be car dependent as there is minimal employment in Writhlington. With a Climate Emergency declared, we should not be adding to congestion on roads.

· The proposed sites are outside B&NES’ Housing Development Boundary.

· The proposal will not provide any advantages to Writhlington.

Concerns were raised about the way Gladman sought views from residents and those attending were encouraged to write their own response.

Residents said they were determined to oppose the application when it is makes its way to B&NES and Mendip Planning Departments in the next few weeks. Given the strength of feeling we’re expecting even more opposition than last time.

We were shocked to hear from Councillors at the meeting that Mendip Council have been given the go ahead to build on the borders of Mendip and B&NES. This leaves Writhlington, like areas in Westfield and Midsomer Norton, vulnerable again to potential housing developments in those areas which border Mendip. We look to Radstock Council and B&NES to strongly oppose inappropriate

developments.

WAG recognises the need to build new housing for the area, but this has to be of the right type and in the right place. Several members of the group have volunteered to work with Radstock Town Council to create the long awaited Neighbourhood Plan, which includes the villages of Writhlington, Haydon and Clandown. The Neighbourhood Plan will help structure the future of the area and identify local needs and priorities.

Writhlington Action Group