Last Thursday, 18th April was a big day for local planning and housing issues. B&NES Council's Core Strategy consultations took place at both Westfield and Radstock Methodist Churches and Midsomer Norton Town Hall, enabling residents to take a look at proposed changes to the plan, which was first put forward seven years ago and has since had to go back to the drawing board, following the Government's Planning Inspector needing increased housing to meet area targets before it could be approved. In the meantime and whilst the area is seemingly short of providing housing, property developers have been in a race to get their applications in before the Core Strategy is finalised and rules become increasingly tighter.

Meanwhile, upstairs in Midsomer Norton Town Hall, a public consultation on a planning application for 51 new homes to be built on land between Wheeler's Hill and Gullock Tyning, Midsomer Norton, by South West developers, Flower and Hayes, was taking place. The developers argue that as B&NES Council currently has insufficient land available, sites such as these, that are available now, should be considered before the Core Strategy is finalised.

The proposals for the site are relatively small, with 27 new houses for sale, six flats over carports for sale, fifteen affordable homes and three affordable flats over carports. The public documents say an area suitable for play would be provided and car parking, something that concerns current Wheeler's Road residents, who will see the development on the end of their estate and their road become the main entry and exit point for the new development, should it be approved. The proposed site would see a link through to Midsomer Norton via a proposed pedestrian/cycle route through Gullock Tyning, but no road.

This is where things get interesting. The Flower and Hayes public plans allude to a 'Future Midsomer Norton Town Park'. A little investigation and a look back to B&NES' previous Core Strategy consultation in 2007 refers frequently to a lack of public space and the need to improve green infrastructure, including the provision of a Town Park in Midsomer Norton, alongside aspirations of providing a supermarket at the current South Road car park.

The land, which is currently below The Batch and beyond the Somer Valley Adventure Play and Skate Park, was originally owned by the National Coal Board and, historically, both Wansdyke District Council and Norton Radstock Town Council looked at acquiring it for the use of a Town Park. Back in 1980, Wansdyke District Council were costing footpaths and signposts for the site, setting aside a £58,000 budget by 1989. Structural surveys and much debate by the Council left the Coal Board cold and the site was sold to a private buyer.

Fast forward to 5th November last year. Midsomer Norton Town Council voted unanimously in favour of the need to secure a Town Park as per B&NES' Core Strategy and agreed to work with the Council to

develop an implementation plan to deliver the project. The Town Council agreed a budget of £1,000 to fund the commissioning of a consultant designer to produce an outline plan for the park, which Midsomer Norton Town Council have this week released (see above).

The Concept Plan for the Midsomer Norton Town Park includes a Bee Garden, Green Stage performance area, Otter Café and toilets, extra car parking, a 'Trailblazer's River Walk', which will pay homage to famous 'Nortonians', a Celebration Meadow and Wild Meadow, Fossil Labyrinth, Hermit's Den, Batch Ride, Remembrance Mount and much more, with sculptures and oak-leaf-shaped benches.

Commenting on the Concept Plan, the Town Council said this week: "This is not meant to be a definite plan, but the hope is that a picture will be more inspiring and help move this project forward. The intention is to continue to work up detailed plans which can then form the basis of a full public consultation – giving residents an opportunity to have their say. Once achieved, a Town Park, in association with the Skate and Adventure Play Park, will undoubtedly offer a fantastic facility to not only Midsomer Norton residents, but the whole Somer Valley, attracting people to the town.

"In the short term, the Town Council is also in the process of negotiating to secure other smaller green spaces in the town, including St Chad's Well and the Catholic Church Garden."

The Hollies Garden, Midsomer Norton's current 'green space', could possibly be revamped as a venue for a weekly market or a place to host concerts, plays or even have an amphitheatre!

Potentially, not only could another housing development be coming to this area, but the adjoining land earmarked for the Town Park could be transformed as a public green space for everyone to use at a time when we will be seeing increased building activity.

At the consultation held last week, Flower and Hayes were keen for people to let them know their views about the development. If you missed the event, you can comment online via their feedback form on the 'Contact Us' page. Visit: http://www.flowerand">www.flowerand hayes.co.uk

Speaking to the developer, a planning application should be lodged with B&NES Council within the next two to three months.