There were angry exchanges following Radstock Town Council's meeting on Monday night as Councillors decided on recommendations for the NRR and Linden Homes planning applications due to go before B&NES planners in October.

There are two outline planning applications, the first, for general demolition of the site, and the second, for the housing and general works – up to 210 residential units, 695sq m of retail business floor space and up to 325sq m for office or community use, conversion of the Brunel Rail Shed for use, car parking, new bus stops, children's play areas and to bring the Sustrans route through the centre of Radstock.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Linden Homes and Cate Le Grice-Mack, Chair of NRR. Members of the public were allowed to speak and the representatives also had time to answer and address any issues arising. Councillors were asked not to give an opinion until they were due to vote.

This was always going to be a difficult issue for Radstock Town Council to vote on, as many of the Town's Councillors have an interest in the applications, both for and against. Cllrs Jackson and Dando removed themselves from the room prior to the vote, Cllr Jackson citing that the application would directly affect the value of her property should permission be granted and Cllr Dando for his links with NRR. Cllr Porter, who is involved with the group, Friends of Radstock Railway Land, who plan to launch a planning application of their own, said she had taken advice and was able to vote on the second application.

Speaking at the meeting, Cate Le Grice-Mack said: "The new application encompasses B&NES' recommended highways scheme. The Board of NRR was not totally happy with the traffic management scheme, it is statistically proven that it will take on a high increase in through traffic moving through the town, particularly HGVs." She appealed for those against the road scheme to help lobby for improvements, but stressed the need for regeneration in Radstock and that simply doing nothing will not bring much-needed employment to the area. She backed the scheme, saying: "We are lucky that Linden Homes want to work with us on this project as they are interested in mixed developments, which will sit well with regeneration. I have been involved with regeneration from Frome to Munich – and it is always difficult, there are always compromises. But we need to bring in economic activity to this area and bringing in 200 plus houses will generate spending money. There is also a very long housing list in this town, which needs accommodating.

"Our battles have been quite bloody along the way, but we have done the best we can for the time, money and restraints of this site."

Against public fears that part of the site allocated for housing would mean that the railway link will be lost forever, Ms Le Grice-Mack said that an agreement has been signed so that the railway link will not be blocked, but will be for light rail use only. Furthermore, she argued that 90% of Radstock's traffic problems were not coming and going from the Frome direction. Use of the new link road, should it ever be built, may disprove that figure.

Most members of the public who attended spoke against the plans, many who wanted greater emphasis on rail and locals, Gary Dando and George Bailey, who spoke of the need for there to be a sustainable transport plan in place and a higher quality of public transport. They fear that nothing specific has been proposed, apart from annual traffic surveys. There are also worries that the new link road would increase congestion around Radstock and cut off its town centre, leaving it marooned in a sea of cars. Further arguments were raised about parking, with the parking in the centre being used for residents, where would shoppers park their cars? The ecology of the site, which has become even wilder over the years, and its high scientific value was also discussed at length.

Bruce Shearn, resident and member of the NRR Board, also spoke at the meeting. He said: "This is about the future of the people who live in this town and giving them a chance. You have a chance tonight, as a Town Council, to say that you believe in this town and that it will grow. If you provide the means for social housing, you will be giving children roots. There is a chance tonight to change Radstock. Please take that chance."

Cllr Eleanor Jackson (Labour, Radstock), prior to the voting, added to the discussion: "The most important thing is to consider the application on its own merit, as it stands now, not in the past. This is an outline application to consider general principles. We do need housing, so we cannot say no to that entirely.

"If Radstock Town Council decides against the planning applications, there will have to be very strong reasons for so doing, such as irreparable and unacceptable damage to the conservation area and/or lack of compensatory economic benefit.

"You cannot 'cherry pick' applications and partially approve sections of an application. It has to be all or nothing."

Chair of Radstock Town Council, Lesley Mansell, argued that the plans had the "Potential for change in Radstock. If we reject this, grants from the Homes and Communities Agency will be lost. We may not get the chance to negotiate with any other developer whilst there is still no Core Strategy to protect us."

At the end of a long debate, the recommendation for the first application was carried, four in favour and two against, with some confusion over the wording of the second, due to the Town Clerk falling ill early on in the meeting and having to leave, the meeting carried on with some disorder at times. In the end, the recommendation was in favour, four votes to three, but with the most stringent safeguards on the environment and railway, (asking potentially for a turning circle if required), the Brunel Shed to have a full refit for community use, better signage and buses for the town, a way to be found so that local people had first option on the affordable housing and that new public toilets might be built to replace the conveniences that have been closed next to Victoria Hall.

Whilst the Town Council paused the session for a quick break, angry residents said that Councillors had just "voted to destroy Radstock".

However, these applications still have a long way to go and much to be ironed out. The scheme has already fallen behind schedule, with Linden Homes fearing that Homes and Communities Agency funding could be lost if the applications do not progress.

Last week, a B&NES spokesperson released the following statement regarding timescale of the works.

"We have made careful consideration for the best time for the works to take place in the town. In any project of this scale, there will inevitably be disruption for local people and businesses, no matter how well the scheme is managed.

"Therefore, we have decided that work will start in early 2014 to avoid disruption to traders during what everyone hopes will be a busy winter/festive period for traders in Radstock.

"The Council and its partners continue to remain totally committed to this regeneration scheme that will create new homes, fresh opportunities and an upgraded road system for Radstock residents."

Following on from last week's Journal, half of the money needed to submit the alternative planning application on behalf of the Friends of Radstock Railway Land has been raised so far.