Radstock Town Council has this week discussed a planning application by Bidwell Metals to build on its land, enabling the company, which is due to close on its current site, as reported in last week’s Journal, to move to a more suitable location.

In the plans, the company says it is looking to relocate to a purpose-built facility

elsewhere, which is not viable or feasible without the sale of its current land. The plans include building 49 dwellings, most of which would be terraced houses to reflect the local heritage, with 118 car parking spaces, a public open space and a purpose-built community building.

Two buildings would be demolished on site, according to the application, with the current school building kept and converted into four apartments and the Clandown Snooker Hall, which is owned by the Miners’ Welfare, to be demolished, with the new community building to provide new facilities. There are fifteen affordable houses included in the plans.

Whilst residents commenting on the application say they are pleased that this land will be redeveloped, concerns have been expressed about access, parking, contamination, public rights of way and the conservation area within which the land sits.

The consultation on the plans expires this week, on 26th November, which can be viewed at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/planning under the application number 16/04870/FUL with a decision due to be made by B&NES towards the end of January next year.

Clandown could also be losing its village store shortly, with a planning application to turn the shop into a residential flat. The current owners, who have run the shop for over thirteen years, note in the planning report that since losing the Post Office in 2008, the store is no longer financially viable. A decision is due on this application next month.

Radstock Town Council voted to reject the Bidwell application on the grounds of unsustainable location and poor access, whilst the Clandown store was also rejected on environmental issues, together with not wishing to change a retail outlet to residential accommodation.The Town Council is voting consistently, as it also rejected a plan for a shop in The Street, next to Clements, being converted into residential flats. The final decision, however, will now rest with B&NES Council.