A GREEN campaigner from near Bridgwater was one of five protesters to quiz a top planning advisor.

Donald Rayner joined four others from the independent Save Our Green Spaces (SOGS) forum members to grill Steve Quartermain, the UK's chief planning advisor.

The nominated five joined groups from across the South West in talks at the Department for Communities and Local Government's London headquarters late last month.

Mr Rayner, of Bawdrip, and the team outlined the case for new planning improvements.

Mr Quartermain and his assistant continually questioned and took notes as observations were conveyed from a SOGS team perspective from cities, towns, villages and farms.

Mr Rayner said: "It was five of us nominated to speak for the forum that covers from North Gloucestershire down to Cornwall.

"It was a pleasure to go and it was a success as he listened and constantly took note of what we had to say.

"It was supposed to be an hour but we overrun and got a lot out of it."

This follows a SOGS request for answers regarding planning questions to the Minister of Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.

Locally, Mr Rayner is most concerned about Sedgemoor District Council's future housing and jobs plan.

He said: "I believe the council's plans are troublesome, they keep building houses in places such as Bridgwater but there are not the necessary jobs available there.

"They also plan to build them on prime food growing land."