Locals have turned out in force to urge their council to drop plans to allow businesses to turn fields next to a local landmark into a business park without planning permission.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's cabinet will meet next week to decide whether to grant a "local development order" for the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone (SVEZ), which would allow businesses to set up shop on fields next to the Old Mills Batch "volcano" just outside Midsomer Norton without needing planning permission, provided they meet a design code and masterplan set out by the council.

But businesses will miss out on the "enterprise zone" fiscal benefits, as these expired in 2022.

The fields were first allocated as land for employment by the council in 2007 but have not attracted businesses.

Now the council says the SVEZ plan will bring 1,300 jobs to the area, reduce the need for commuting out of the area, and promote active travel for people working at the site.

Critics say the plans do not reflect modern employment needs, there is no longer an unemployment issue, and the fields should not be built on.

Angharad Barber, who lives locally and has spearheaded the campaign against the plans, said that about 100 people turned up for a protest at the site and by Thicket Mead roundabout on Sunday January 21.

Locals protest against the SVEZ (Image: Angharab Barber)

She said: "There was an awful lot of support from cars driving past beeping and thumbs ups. It felt like a lot of comradery and also a lot of people stopped and asked what it was about."

Ms Barber was one of three people from Farrington Gurney who had urged the council to rethink the plan at a scrutiny panel meeting on January 16. Speaking after the protest, she said: "I think they need to start listening to us."

Ann Morgan, the Liberal Democrat councillor for High Littleton on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said on Monday: "The turnout for yesterday's protest shows the strength of feeling locally about the enterprise zone.

"I totally understand the residents' concerns around traffic and land use and I am pushing hard to make sure the cabinet understands these issues and properly addresses them before making a decision."

Green councillor for Clutton and Farmborough Sam Ross was also at the protest, attending alongside Green parliamentary candidate for North East Somerset and Hanham at the next election Edmund Cannon.

Ms Ross said: "It's clear that the council needs a dose of realism in their planning that takes account of what matters to local people.

"If we truly want local jobs for people in the Somer Valley that are accessible by foot, bike and bus, then we need to put those jobs where people actually live.

"Placing a large out-of-town employment centre won't overcome 'out-commuting' from the Somer Valley, it will simply lead to increased car commuting from both local residents as well as people from further afield, including Bath, Somerset and Bristol."

The council cabinet will meet at 6.30pm on February 1 in Bath Guildhall to decide on adopting the local development order and to resolve to adopt the statutory mechanisms to acquire the land if landowners will not sell.