Up to 250 homes could be built near nature reserve

The new homes will be concentrated within the western half of the site

Up to 250 new homes could soon be approved near the site of a Somerset nature reserve.

Around 64 acres (26 hectares) of land between Fox’s Field and Exeter Road was signed over to Wellington Town Council, to protect and enhance the basins.

Now Persimmon Homes South West has put forward development plans immediately next to this planned reserve.

The firm has promised that "significant green space will be provided" to complete the green wedge to the A38.

Community orchard

The plans were unveiled at a public drop-in event last month.

Under the initial proposals, up to 250 new properties will be delivered on land either side of Popes Lane, with a new access being created onto the A38 Nowers Lane.

The new homes will be concentrated within the western half of the development site, near the existing properties on Barrington Way and the Ryelands Business Park.

A community orchard and children’s play area were also planned, with pedestrian and cycling routes throughout the site to provide safe access to the centre of the village and local schools.

'Crucial' green space

The eastern edge of the development would be set aside entirely for green space, with viewpoints providing views towards the village’s restored water towers to the north and towards Wellington Monument and the Blackdown Hills to the south.

Local environmental group Transition Town Wellington said that delivering extensive green space within the development site was "crucial" to prevent Rockwell Green from merging with Wellington.

A spokesperson said: “The open space is absolutely vital to complete the green corridor from Fox’s Field in the north of Wellington, Wellington Town Council’s green corridor and the local nature reserve land south of Exeter Road, to meet the A38.

“Alongside making sure this land is for the benefit of wildlife, we must make sure their houses have environmentally sustainable features above standard, including renewable energy, bat bricks, swift boxes, cycle friendly roads etc. built into the design.”

A formal planning application for the development is expected to be submitted to Somerset Council later in the year.