The Lib Dems have expressed disappointment at the granting of planning permission to the standby gas generator plant and its potential impact on our environment. The Conservative and Independent Councillors who represent Midsomer Norton North could have called the application in to planning committee but chose not to do so.

Bath and North East Somerset Council planning policies, written whilst the Conservatives were in charge, tied the Lib Dem Council’s hands and did not allow Council officers to block this gas generator.

The Lib Dems have already started revising planning policies to allow the climate emergency to be used as a reason to turn down planning applications

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet member for the Climate Emergency, said: “We want to stop this sort of decision being nodded through and we have already started the ball rolling to update the council’s policies.

“Our planning rules need to reflect our local priorities – tackling the climate emergency, prioritising affordable and social housing, and creating sustainable transport opportunities.

"We’re doing the work to put those rules in place as soon as possible, starting with a new local plan which will be in place early next year.”

By Journal Reporter