The owner of Western Skip Hire has made a Planning Application for a caravan holiday park a few hundred yards from the heart of the village with plots for 73 touring caravans, 22 static caravans and a camping area. It will also include a two-storey central amenity building (shop and bar), managers accommodation, storage areas, car park and a new entrance road. At its peak the visitors would increase the population of the village by about 35%. Objections from local residents have to be in by 2nd August - less than two weeks’ time!

If you haven’t seen them, view the plans here:

https://publicaccess.mendip.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PAKH9JKPLW700

Mells Matters is the Action Group formed by Mells residents to fight this application. We have retained a professional Planning Consultant to help us with the fight and have organised meetings of the community to rally support. Members of the Action Group are giving their time and have funded the expenses so far but this page is to raise donations to pay the professional fees etc to defend our beautiful village.

There are so many reasons why this would change the village forever:

TRAFFIC - Increased traffic to the village, often towing large caravans, will affect the safety of our children and everyone walking on the non-paved narrow roads. It will also cause further parking issues and increase congestion which is already a major problem at weekends and in summer problem in such a small village with narrow roads.

MELLS IS ALREADY TOO BUSY IN SUMMER - At full capacity such a large site would increase the footfall in Mells by almost 30% of its tiny population. The current visitors to Mells are always welcome but an increase of up to 400 more people LIVING in the village at any time throughout the year would undoubtedly put a strain on local resources. .

NOISE - The plans include a site shop and bar, restaurant and entertainment building. The potential increase in noise from campers or late night entertainment on site would disrupt the peace and quiet of village life in Mells.

COMMUNITY - An increase of up to 400 extra people living in Mells with no commitment or loyalty to Mells would undermine the Mells Community. This is a vibrant and pro- active community that has, in recent years, saved the Village Shop and created a community run Café. This plan contributes nothing to Mells - it will just make a few people rich.

PLEASE GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD TO DEFEND OUR LOVELY VILLAGE. WE NEED FUNDS IMMEDIATELY TO PAY THE CONSULTANT. MONEY WILL BE HELD IN A DEDICATED MELLS MATTERS BANK ACCOUNT.