People for Packsaddle has recently written to Somerset Council to make a cash offer of £250,000 to buy Packsaddle Fields so that they can be brought into community ownership, guaranteeing a sustainable future for this much loved Asset of Community Value.

We are obviously aware that Somerset County Council had previously entered into an option agreement for the sale of the land to LiveWest, which is contingent on planning permission being secured. So please be mindful, as we share the news of this offer with you, that the offer made is contingent on the planning application being refused.

Our alternative offer, should the planning application be refused, supports Somerset Council’s climate emergency strategy and still brings in a significant capital receipt for the council. 

Please also be aware that this offer does not mean we have lots of money at our disposal and that all fundraising can stop. We have received a number of pledges of sums of money, specifically for the future purchase of the fields. But we still need to fundraise to pay for the expert legal advice we are relying on to ensure our best chance at getting the planning application refused.

We look forward to sharing more with you very soon on how we think the future of the fields can look.