A group of Glastonbury residents are holding a meeting on Friday May 10th to raise awareness of six homes being proposed on the lower slopes of Wearyall Hill in the town.

Wearyall Hill is a historic site in Glastonbury, and on this hill is the Holy Thorn, which is claimed by some to be 2,000 years old.

This historic and, to some, sacred site is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. Tragically in 2010 a mysterious vandal cut it down.

The proposed development of six houses is planned to be built on The Roman Way, on the lower slopes of the hill, some 50 metres from the Holy Thorn.

However, the applicants behind the plan are keen to stress that they are happy to meet with concerned residents, and want to create a development that makes a "positive contribution to the locale".

Outline permission was given to the landowner in 2006. This means, in principle, Mendip District Council will allow the development. A full planning application has now been submitted and is now at the public consultation stage where members of the public, the town council, highways and any other relevant organisations can comment.

Now campaigners will be holding a meeting on May 10th at 7pm at 73a Tor View Avenue, Glastonbury, to discuss the proposals and how to proceed.

A spokesman for the campaigners said: "We can stop it if enough people object to Mendip District Council before May 14th.

"You can send a comment of your objection directly by using this link https://publicaccess.mendip.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=POQ4ICKPH6E00.

"You do need to register to comment, and all comments have to be made by May 14th.

"If you don't want to or are not able to register through the Mendip website, then you can email them on: [email protected]. The postal address for Mendip District Council offices is Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 5BT."

The key points of objection from the campaigners are:

1 Detrimental impact upon residential amenities

2 Need to avoid town cramming

3 Adverse impact on protected trees

4 Loss of privacy and overlooking

5 Overshadowing/loss of light

6 Highway safety, inadequate parking and access

7 Ground stability and drainage

8 Non-compliance with other council planning policies/government planning guidance.

The spokesman said: "Petitions won't help, only individual letters. It can't be a form letter or it will be classed as a petition and therefore only count as one objection.

The campaigners are urging residents to do the following:

1. Ensure your town councillor knows what you feel about this proposal and why.
2. Send your objection before May 14th, see all the points above.
3. Attend the Glastonbury Town Council meeting (date to be confirmed) when this application will be discussed. You can book a three-minute slot to speak to the councillors if you wish to address them.
4. Talk to a minimum of three people who don't know about this application, particularly those who do not use social media and ensure all comments are submitted to Mendip in writing on or the online portal by May 14th.
5. Help to distribute leaflets to Hill Head, Roman Way, Tor View Avenue and Butleigh Road.
6. Attend the meeting at 73a Tor View avenue, BA6 8AG on Friday 10th May at 7pm to discuss the next stage of the campaign.
7. Donate to the fundraising campaign to ensure campaigners can have access to the best possible legal and planning advise and support.

In response to the concerns, the applicant Pierre d'Avoine from Pierre d'Avoine Architects, stressed that it was a dream for him to make a positive contribution to Glastonbury.

He said: "I have been visiting the Tor, Chalice Hill, Wearyall Hill and the Abbey regularly, including at mid-summer, since I was a student in the early 1970s and have a huge regard for the town of Glastonbury and the surrounding landscape.

"It has been a dream of mine for many years to make a positive contribution to the town which has suffered much from poor development and lack of investment investment in the local community over the last fifty years.

"The houses are some distance (over 50 metres) from the Glastonbury Thorn, which cannot be seen from the site.

"We have worked on the design of the proposed houses at 24 The Roman Way for a number of years. Our aim is to make an exemplary project of high quality based on environmentally friendly principles. We think the proposal will enhance the locale.

"The six proposed houses are generously designed and sited, and do not contribute we feel to 'town cramming'.

"The site does not contain protected trees. mature trees on site are retained and valued for the way they contribute to the character of the proposal.

"There is no loss of privacy or overlooking. The nearest houses are over 30 metres away on the other side of The Roman Way. There is no overshadowing or loss of light.

"We will liaise with the Highways department to ensure safety, adequate parking and access. Currently there are two parking spaces per house proposed.

"We understand that the ground stability will not be affected. Drainage and rainwater run-off have been considered and the proposed wild garden and porous hoggin/gravel paths, hardstanding and access will minimise rainwater run-off. We will liaise with Building Control to ensure compliance with the regulations.

"We were advised at pre-application stage that the application site is within the development limits and therefore the principle of development is acceptable subject to compliance with all other relevant planning policies and material considerations.

"I am very happy to come and talk to concerned parties."