Over a year after the Sainsbury's planning application at the CFH site was turned down by B&NES Council, Westfield Parish Councillor, Sue Hamilton, has called on the local authority to rethink the retail strategy for the area, asking for further consideration to be given towards a supermarket or similar retail opportunity for Westfield in future.

At the Cabinet meeting which took place on 9th April, Cllr Hamilton presented councillors with a petition of 736 signatures, supporting the idea of a major supermarket for Westfield. Speaking at the meeting, she said: "This matter has become very, very important to the majority of Westfield residents and has become a significant talking point amongst them. This petition represents a significant cross-section of residents, but the overwhelming response has taken me by surprise.

"It is not a plea to reverse historic decisions, because the Sainsbury's project at St Peter's Factory, otherwise known as Continuforms, must now be considered as lost. It is a plea for B&NES to reconsider the basis of that decision and to formulate a policy that will actively encourage the creation of a significant retail opportunity that will form the basis of a centre for our community. "Unlike its neighbouring Parishes, Westfield has no point of focus for its community and the residents had assumed that a major supermarket would introduce a source of employment and, create a new stratum of energy into the community and on that basis, become the baseline from which a vibrant community could develop."

Also speaking in support of the petition was Westfield resident, Ron Hopkins, who said: "What is done is done and the opportunities presented by the original proposals are sadly lost, but we appeal to the Cabinet to learn from this and move forward by preparing a strategy that will open up the possibility of a similar retail proposal, to be considered with an open mind. Please don't just slam the door in favour of building another retail superstore in a nearby town that already has an oversupply of those."

Whilst the petition did not have the full 1,000 signatures needed to trigger a debate at full Council, those who were for the development will be hoping that the subject, which has gone very quiet since Sainsbury's ran out of time to appeal the refusal, will come to the fore again. It also comes as locals wait in anticipation to see who will be behind the planning application for the site at South Road car park, due to be announced shortly.

At the time, B&NES Officers argued that a major supermarket at Westfield would result in a 28% loss in trade for Midsomer Norton and 24% in Radstock, with the South Road site being promoted as a way to bring trade into Midsomer Norton's High Street. Those who were in favour of the development at Westfield are now calling for the same – something which will bring people to their area and provide employment. The site at Welton, Bibby and Baron is also being looked at carefully, so that any housing in future can be balanced with retail space.