B&NES Council's Development Control Committee are due to meet this Wednesday to decide the fate of the empty Homemaker site in Radstock.
The former store would be demolished to make way for thirteen affordable dwellings by social housing landlord, Curo, with a similar application due to be discussed at the empty Co-op premises, in High Littleton, which would see nine residential units built.
The report notes the concern that well-known buildings in the area are being demolished for housing and that other uses could be sought for them first.
Also due to be decided upon is an application for seventy houses in Temple Cloud, at Temple Inn Lane, and another for the old Temple Inn to be redeveloped with ten bed letting rooms and a further nine residential dwellings.
Campaigners and the local Parish Councils have expressed their concerns about the loss of agricultural land, the extra traffic that would be created along the already busy A37 and junction safety at the Temple Inn site. Should the scheme go ahead, contributions are being sought to improve bus services, specifically a direct bus to Bath. The application comes after residents fought an application for 123 houses in 1995, which was refused and dismissed at appeal.
The B&NES officer has recommended that all three applications are permitted.