At the Radstock Town Council meeting on Monday, 15th July, Robert Westell, a member of the public, used the opportunity to submit questions, to inform the Council on the proposal to build a solar panel farm in Kilmersdon, which will cross the border into Haydon.

Mr Westell explained that residents in neighbouring Haydon hadn't received notification of the public consultation on the proposed plans to build a solar farm on New Tyning Farm's land, which would rob the area of a farming enterprise, losing both livelihood and employment opportunities for the area. According to Mr Westell, the proposal includes a 2.5m high security fence to enclose the solar farm and 8m high towers onto which security cameras would be fitted, aside from the views of the community gardens and the Oak Pavilion being lost, the entire area would resemble a prison should the application go through. He also went on to inform the Council of the noise that would be generated by the solar panels, this, in turn, would cause further detriment to the people living in both Haydon and Kilmersdon.

The proposal and the consultation alongside it, are being monitored by Mendip District Council,. During the meeting, it was decided that Radstock Town Council would contact Mendip District Council to state their interest in this development, requesting to be kept involved in planning proposals of this nature, particularly as it concerns Haydon residents.

Many Council members agreed that they should object to the proposal on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the community and that they should not be backing any application that destroys organic land, as this would negatively impact the wildlife in and around Radstock. Although the Council are interested in pursuing any possibility of clean, renewable energy sources, as opposed to building at Hinkley Point, they would rather that solar farms, such as this, be built either on brownfield sites or that panels are attached to existing buildings to generate the energy needed. Further to this, it was proposed that the Council also contact B&NES Council to back a refusal on the proposal.

On the same evening, all the members of Kilmersdon Parish Council who were present, voted unanimously to oppose the planned solar farm, Parish Clerk, Kay Mansergh advises.

It is reported that parents at Kilmersdon School are now concerned, too.

Back at Radstock, the subject of Victoria Hall was also bought up at the meeting, with members of the Council proposing that they approach B&NES Council about the possibility of returning to the hall for office and meeting space. According to members of the Council, they were not privy to any consultation on the regeneration of Victoria Hall and have had very limited information on the future plans for the hall and its new tenants. It was decided that they contact B&NES on this matter, so that they can also be actively involved in the future of the hall. Another agenda point for the Town Council meeting was the plans for Radstock Regeneration. The discussion on this has been deferred to a later meeting so that the plans can be more widely read before discussions take place.