A meeting of B&NES' Housing and Major Projects Panel, due next week on 23rd September, will discuss the future of Radstock and Westfield and ongoing issues in the area.
In the Open Public item, the meeting will look at the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan for both Radstock and Westfield, particularly in relation to Radstock's regeneration. B&NES says it is working with the Town Council to develop a more specific vision for the future. It is expected that the Placemaking Plan will allocate sites for future development, likely to include Charltons, Rymans, the library, Coombend, Old School, Norton Radstock College and the St Peter's factory site.
There will also be an update on current works – with highways work in Radstock expected until Christmas to build the new link road and roundabout on Frome Road, this will then move to The Street and Fortescue Road, due to be completed next summer. Wessex Water is expected to finish by the end of November in Fortescue Road, closing to traffic from the beginning of October until completion.
The contentious issue of parking in Radstock is also due to be looked at, with the Council hoping to expand the car park to the rear of the library and a planning application for change of use currently being prepared. There are also plans for a five-hour parking restriction in Waterloo Road and the library car park, so that commuters will not be able to park there, freeing up spaces for shoppers and visitors.
The Council is also proposing to set up a new forum, called the Radstock and Westfield Development Advisory Group, to help improve communications between local representatives, the community and the Council. The outcome of such discussions will be reported to the relaunched Somer Valley Partnership.