Stratton-on-the-Fosse Parish Council have objected, for a third time, to plans for no less than two hundred and seventy houses on the well-known White Post site between Midsomer Norton and Stratton-on-the-Fosse. Mendip District Council have been contacted for comment following residents concerns.
Chairman of Stratton-on-the-Fosse Parish Council, discusses the historical and current situation of plans for houses on the White Post site: “I have the pleasure of listening to the Councillors’ views on all matters concerning the local, and indeed wider government policy and procedure.
“Within this space, the usual political divides are apparent and form a good, represented viewpoint of the local area. Take for example the topic of new house building and developments. A very hot topic for the UK government, having a knock-on effect to many departments of government such as the treasury, environment, infrastructure etc. Likewise, within Stratton-on-the-Fosse, the development of new housing is a hot topic. However, not for the usual political divide of conservation verses progressive you might expect. Here instead we are engaged in a duel of what is legally just.
“Government is likely to continue to fall short on its affordable homes housebuilding targets. Government is likely to deliver 32,000 homes short of the aims of its 2016 - 2021 affordable homes building programmes. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities admits it does not expect to deliver the intended benefits of the 2021 programme and has now set a new target of 180,000 new homes. Therefore, when 505 new homes proposed by Mendip District Council, at sites MN1, were deemed unlawful by the High Court, many a spread sheet, and projected growth calculations went into free fall. Furthermore, hence this sudden turn off from the High Court at judicial inquiry, Mendip has failed to accept responsibility.
“Communication has at the centre of this new building proposal become its greatest downfall. In 2016 we fought plans for one hundred and eighty eight houses. Even though elements of the proposed planning fell within the Stratton-on-the-Fosse Parish boundary, Stratton-on-the-Fosse was deemed insignificant and not mentioned or consulted.
“After fighting for a seat at the table, a similar vein of selective hearing and inclusion continued. Over 100 families turned out to rebut the proposed planning outline and a further 91 written and recorded objections to the fact. Mendip opposed this planning; however, they then went on to propose it in a larger plan.
“Fast forward to present day where Mendip choose not to inform any Parish directly involved in the now unlawful site being pushed back through planning as “not customary”.
“This plan is against the Mendip District Council’s own Planning Policies of concentrating development on the five major towns in Mendip. Already there are to be another seventy eight (houses) at Beauchamp Drive, seeing 499 in total being pushed through planning once again.
“Neither these houses nor the other 270 planned on the other side of A367 (White Post site) are needed in North East Mendip (as there are multiple buildings on greenfield sites when brownfield sites available in both Mendip and BANES).”
Whilst the development is in the Stratton Parish, Stratton-on-the-Fosse Parish Council are aware of the impacts it may have on the surrounding areas, including increased pollution, higher demands on services, schools and local job markets, so are now asking you to contact Mendip District Council with your comments on the White Post site.
Mendip District Council boundary line comes very close to B&NES when it comes to Midsomer Norton:
Stratton on the Fosse Parish Council comment on Local Plan:
In a nine page document from Stratton on the Fosse Parish Council, one point, referring to the site issues, said:
'This is seen as an unwelcome expansion of the Town of Midsomer Norton and Parish of Westfield. Referring to a similar, but smaller proposed development on the same site in 2016, objections were raised by all three relevant Councils on the B&NES side of the boundary, i.e. by B&NES themselves, Midsomer Norton Town Council and Westfield Parish Council.Page of 29
'B&NES’ adopted Local Plan does not support any southern extension of the towns of Midsomer Norton, Radstock and the Parish of Westfield across the boundary. In fact the B&NES position set out in the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan is that development in this location is unsustainable due to the peripherally of the development, highways impact and school capacity.
'The proposed development site in the Kilmersdon Parish cuts across the corner of the junction of A367 and B3139, joining both roads. This leaves a similarly sized area of land adjoining the roundabout. It is inevitable that if the site in Kilmersdon Parish is approved, then the piece of land referred to, which is in the Stratton Parish will inevitably follow. This will again have all of the effects on Stratton Parish, further increase in Parish and all the other considerations connected with the White Post site.'
Residents are also showing concerns regarding the plans for further housing. Writing in to The Journal, Jon Carter said:
Residents respond to White Post plans:
In a letter to The Journal, Jon Carter (Stratton-on-the-Fosse resident) addressed the plans, writing: "Yet more gridlocked traffic to come. I’m sure most of your readers are aware of the ever increasing build-up of traffic in and around Midsomer Norton and Radstock, during the two rush hours.
"I wish to remind them that, with the prospect of about six hundred homes planned but yet to be approved, to be built between the White Post Roundabout and the recently built Beauchamp Avenue, gridlocked traffic will become an even more intense headache to drivers using both the A367 to and the B3155.
"Shall we just let it happen – without showing any opposition?
Details can be found on the Stratton on the Fosse Facebook: Planning for the White Post Site 2021/1480/OTS."
Yours sincerely, Jon Carter'
Referring to the plans, Gordon Mackay, another Midsomer Norton resident said:
"As a resident who’s lucky enough to live in a great place like Midsomer Norton I realise that more people will want to move here but I sympathise with other's concerns. If the application were to go ahead, despite objections, I’d like to see those concerns addressed. For example, requesting a boundary review so the development is included in the B&NES catchment and ensuring there are genuinely sustainable transport options for new and existing residents travelling to key areas in the locality, such as Somervale School and the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone at Old Mills which hopes to provide 1,300 new jobs."
The Journal have reached out to Councillors and Mendip District Council for comment.
You can contact Mendip District Council by emailing: [email protected] or write to them at their Cannards Grave Office in Shepton Mallet, quoting 2021/1480/OTS – deadline for responses is 20th February.