Curo's plans to knock down two social houses, making room for fifty four new homes on Underhill Lane, Midsomer Norton, could be given the go-ahead, despite a judicial review instructing the Council to remove the site from their plans.

The Underhill Lane site has been one of a lot of controversy as of late; being removed from Somerset Council's plan by a judge following a judical review. Now, Somerset Council have given notice that the Curo application will be included in the Somerset Planning Meeting next week (Tuesday, 7th November), despite over seventeen pages of resident objections on the application.

According to B&NES Council Planning Services, Curo’s proposal would see the demolition of number 26 and 28 Orchard Vale, Midsomer Norton, with the ‘development of 54 new homes with open space, landscaping and all associated infrastructure (Cross Boundary Application with Somerset).’

Councillor Shaun Hughes told The Journal: "This is most frustrating, we have received only a week notice that this application is going to be decided by Somerset Planning Board.

"A month ago I attended a Somerset planning meeting where they confirmed that the judicial review had removed this site from their local plan and therefore they would re-start the process to decide where to build housing in Somerset and assured us that this would include a public consultation.

"Clearly Curo do not feel that the decision of a High Court Judge and the democratic process of a Local Plan apply to them which is very disappointing for a company that claims to be community-based, with more than 200 written objections there are numerous issues with this proposed development including flood issues, protected wildlife, not to mention an infrastructure that cannot cope. I will be attending Somerset Planning Board to voice our objections."

Hundreds of residents have objected to the plans, which were originally applied for in July 2022.

To keep up-to-date with the Underhill Lane plans, see here.

The 'target decision' on the planning application is set to be made by 1/12/2023.

See the below article for more information on the Underhill Lane plans: