Conditional planning permission has been granted for rugby and cricket pitches on land off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield. But nine years later, the pitches have not been created and West Monkton Parish Council has taken on the land. A subsequent investigation concluded there is a surplus of pitches for senior football locally, but insufficient sites for cricket wickets and junior rugby fields. “Youth players, due to the very limited playing area, have to be rotated on and off the pitch in order to accommodate the numbers. “A possible additional pitch would transform the youth rugby in Taunton and the surrounding area.”Extra rugby pitches would better help develop future women’s and girls’ teams.

Source: Express February 17, 2026 10:37 UTC