Over the summer, much of the vegetation on the Packsaddle fields was cleared, destroying a large swathe of natural habitat and likely causing significant damage to local wildlife. Given that the developers, Live West, were conducting a ‘full season of ecology/wildlife surveys’ on the land at the time (to inform their planning application), we cannot help but be suspicious as to the motives behind this clearance . The fields were cleared only 6 weeks after the ecological surveys began which will no doubt impact results. We understand from local residents that the fields hadn’t previously been cleared for at least 10 years.

We also understand that access to the site was achieved without notice or consent (the lane used is privately owned), and it caused substantial damage to fencing which the lane owner maintains. That the owner was not, and still has not, been contacted about this is unacceptable.

We are currently trying to find out who ordered the clearing work, but we can only assume that the landowners, Somerset County Council, must have approved the work. We will be raising this with SCC as a matter of urgency.