A local community group, which is campaigning to save a registered green space from being turned into houses, has raised more than £4,000 since January this year to help keep their campaign running. 

The People For Packsaddle group is working hard to save the fields, which are an Asset of Community Value situated outside the town's development boundary in the northern part of the town, from an application for 74 market value homes. 

A series of coffee mornings through the winter months and more recently a plant sale and jumble sale have boosted the funds behind the campaign, ensuring much needed revenue is available to pay for expert legal advice.

The group has been campaigning since September 2022 and has raised in the region of £17,000 so far. 

One of the fields the group is campaigning to save (image supplied)

Toby Culff, People for Packsaddle spokesperson, said: "The local community has been incredibly generous and we've been overwhelmed by the level of support we've received.

"Large sums have already been raised and massive pledges have been received for what we hope will be a future community purchase of this precious space, leading to its protection and enhancement for generations to come.

"Fundraising efforts continue in earnest, ensuring we are prepared for a potentially long and expensive legal battle.

"People for Packsaddle has the resolve, the support and the means to fight until the bitter end. We will not give up on saving this green space, which has been proven time and again to be of enormous value to both people and wildlife."

The planning application to build on the fields was submitted in May 2023 and has yet to be decided on.

An extract from the planning application showing the Packsaddle fields

More than 250 objections were submitted in response to the application. 

Toby continued: "We've more fundraising events planned for the coming months and wish to thank all our supporters for their continued efforts to help us raise the money needed to ensure we can give the fields their very best chance of remaining the precious green space that the local community has loved for many years." 

People For Packsaddle is holding a public meeting on Thursday 27 June at 8pm at Frome Rugby Club, which all supporters are invited to.

The meeting will be an opportunity to find out what has been happening in recent weeks and plans for the future. Alternatively, to keep up to date about upcoming fundraisers and the campaign to save the fields, follow People For Packsaddle on Facebook or Instagram or see their website.