ANY public opposition to proposals for a dual carriageway Taunton and Ilminster could be ignored, it was claimed this week.

A proposed Government shake-up of planning laws could mean locals will be unable to have their say about the plans for 12-mile stretch of the A358.

The Highways Agency wants to increase the capacity on one of busiest roads in Somerset, which link traffic from South Somerset to the M5 at the county town.

It has unveiled proposals for a controversial loop system connecting the motorway to the new road on playing fields beside the Blackbrook Pavilion, in Taunton.

Now a campaign group, Planning Disaster - which includes several groups such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Friends of the Earth, the RSPB and the National Trust - is calling on people in the Taunton area to put pressure on the Government.

Group co-ordinator Owen Espley said the Government's proposed changes to planning laws are a "disaster" for local democracy.

Mr Espley added: "Under the Government's proposed changes to the planning system, local people in the Taunton area would have fewer rights to challenge proposals such as the A358 Taunton to Ilminster dualing.

"We're encouraging people in the area to visit our website and to take action to tell the Government to protect local people's rights in the planning system."

The Government's White Paper - expected to become a Bill in the autumn - is in response to criticism that current planning rules make it too easy for locals to block major new developments.

*Click on the link to the Planning Disaster website below.