We’re delighted to announce that Mendip District Council has decided to list Packsaddle Fields as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

This is a significant moment in our battle to protect the fields, and fitting recognition for the special role they play in our community.

ACV status is notoriously difficult to secure and the process was an arduous one. Crucial to our success was the compelling and moving testimony of local residents, so we offer our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took the time to submit a letter of support. Your contribution was VITAL, thank you!

We should all take enormous pride and encouragement from this victory, but it is just one small step, albeit a very important one, in the right direction. There is much, much work left to do, and we need our supporters to dig-in for the long-haul. This is going to be a protracted fight but it’s one we can and must win.

We also send sincere thanks to local councillors Sara Butler – Frome Town Councillor (FTC), Adam Boyden for Somerton and Frome (MDC), Drew Gardner -Mendip District Councillor (MDC), Cllr Helen Sprawson-White – Frome Oakfield Ward (MDC), and Cllr Dawn Denton: Frome North (SCC) for their forceful, unequivocal support.

Finally, an HUGE thank you to PfP member, Keith Wheeler, for his efforts in putting our application together and representing PfP at the Mendip Council panel meeting. A true Packsaddle hero! Thanks also to our specialist planning lawyer, Tim Taylor from Khift, whose legal advice was a key part of our victory.

On the subject of legal advice, as many of you will know, it doesn’t come cheap so we need to raise more funds to pay for legal support for the next phase of our battle to protect the fields. So if you want to help save Packsaddle fields, making a donation towards our legal and campaign costs would be hugely appreciated. You can donate here.