125 homes at Comeytrowe Road, Trull

“The Planning Officer introduced the application with the aid of a presentation. The application sought approval for an outline application for up to 125 dwellings, at…”

“The Committee were addressed by 8 objectors including the local divisional member and a representative from Trull Parish Council who raised the following points (summarised): • The impact the development would have on the Trull green wedge and the community. • The loss of the village identity. • There is a lack of secondary school places in the area, and this development would impact this. • The traffic impact that the development would cause would be severe.”

“Councillors were invited to discuss the application and raised the following points: • Councillors raised the importance of maintaining the green wedge. • Councillors raised the Neighbourhood Plan for Trull and felt the development would go against this. Councillors asked when the Trull Neighbourhood Plan went out of date. The Planning Officer was introduced to confirm that when making a decision and recommendation the officers take all local plans and guidance into consideration and confirmed that, regarding Trull Neighbourhood Plan, although it states that there shouldn’t be more than 30 homes in a proposed plan – it does not say that developments higher than this will be resisted.”

“He finally clarified the active travel plan for the area and the proposed development and the national cycle routes that would be improved and extended with the development. The Lead Planning Officer was brought in to clarify to the committee that if members are minded refusing on highways grounds – the bar in the National Planning Policy Framework is high for this and that impacts must be severe.”

“Councillor Pugsley proposed that the application be refused against officer recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Ellis. Having been duly proposed and seconded The committee resolved that:”

“The development proposed would result in the introduction of a large urban housing development into an area of open agricultural land which currently positively contributes to the character and the appearance of the local area, and also provides an important area of separation between Taunton and the village of Trull.”