An appeal hearing has begun concerning land for 47 homes at Abbot's Farm Close, Paulton, and 124 at Boxbury Hill, between Paulton and Midsomer Norton, due to last until 26th February at Bath's Guildhall.

The Appellants, Edward Ware Homes, alongside different landowners, are arguing that B&NES Council cannot demonstrate that it has a housing supply for the next five years, with a possible shortfall of 473 homes. B&NES has been told it must provide 5,062 homes over the next five years and it was alleged that only 4,589 will be delivered. The developers maintained they could show eighteen sites where the Council have overestimated the supply of homes and alleged that Council information was out of date.

The Defendants, B&NES Council, said that if this appeal was granted, it would have devastating effects, not just here, but all over the country, as all three applications to be considered during this period, two in Paulton and one in Chew Stoke, are outside the Housing Development Boundary. The Core Strategy Inspector said in July 2014 that B&NES was assessed as having housing needs which can be met, which is 13,000 homes from 2011 to 2029 and said that in essence, B&NES is on target.

The main grounds for B&NES Council turning the application down at Abbot's Farm was the lack of primary school places in Paulton. As Paulton Schools are full, the argument is whether pupils could be transported nearby and whether this was sustainable. The enquiry continues.