'Passionate' villagers successfully petition to protect fields

A petition signed by more than 1,000 people to try and stop fields losing their protected "green wedge" status, has been successful.

It came after a review found the land in Trull, near Taunton, no longer met the objectives of the "green wedge" policy, which included "bringing the countryside into the heart of the town" and providing wildlife habitat, paving the way for development.

The council said Trull Ridge Green Wedge was "enclosed by development" but a local councillor said the land was key to "protecting the village identity".

Liberal Democrat councillor Dawn Johnson, who set up the petition, said the campaigning had been successful, but warned another review would likely come forward.

Johnson told the BBC residents who signed the petition and attended a council meeting "were heard", describing it as "incredible village spirit in action".

Johnson said previously she was "very concerned", as a local councillor and resident of 27 years, that removing green wedge status would open the fields up to development.

"There will be another Green Wedge Review report come forward at some point... and we still have a live planning application on the land to build 125 houses.

"That will be the next battle, if it comes forward... we will have to fight that at planning committee."

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "At the meeting on 4 February the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee resolved not to approve the green wedge boundary review and its recommendations.

"The green wedge status of Trull Ridge still forms part of planning policy for that area. The review will form part of the evidence base for the future Somerset Local Plan which will consider green wedge policy and areas further."

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