Residents and local councillors are bracing themselves for another fight after new planning appeals have been lodged at both Boxbury Hill and Abbots Farm Close in Paulton.

Campaigners thought the land had been saved after a Government Inspector supported B&NES Council’s decision to turn the applications down. However, a Judicial Review held in December saw the planning inspector’s decision quashed for considering issues in his decision not covered at the inquiry.

The appeals will now need to be redetermined at another inquiry, with all previous representations being forwarded. Further comments must be received by 2nd May and can be made via: https://www.gov.uk/appeal-planning-inspectorate or by email: [email protected] Three copies can be sent by post to Leanne Palmer, The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/26, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN. All representations must quote references APP/F0114/W/14/2214596 and APP/F0114/W/14/2215930.

Cllr Liz Hardman (Labour, Paulton), says she is extremely concerned about the current situation. “We thought this was all settled.We won the argument, so why are we doing this all over again? It’s so disappointing that the Inspector at the Inquiry made procedural errors, which has now resulted in the developers being able to launch and win a judicial review. This means we have to start all over again at another Inquiry, where we will have to go over the same old arguments and which will cost B&NES a lot of money.

“Paulton cannot absorb any more housing. Our schools are full, the infrastructure won’t cope with all the extra commuter traffic and the Doctors’ Surgery is at full capacity too.

“Boxbury Hill is also the setting of the Batch, our undesignated Heritage Site, whose significance will be lost if these 145 homes are built in front of it. Boxbury Hill is also the last strip of land that prevents Paulton from joining up with Midsomer Norton, creating ‘Midsomer Paulton’. We need to protect our green spaces and we must challenge the developers at this Inquiry.”

Midsomer Norton Town Council’s Chair of Planning, Cllr Jane Lewis, added: “It is disappointing that the applicants consider that there is still a case for allowing this development through a second appeal, given the further B&NES Council time and resource it will incur.

“Midsomer Norton Town Council submitted its own objections on the application to develop Boxbury Hill in January 2014 and we also strongly supported those submitted by Paulton Parish Council, where the site is located, because of its close proximity to the town. The Town Council was represented at the first hearing, which the High Court deemed invalid on minor procedural grounds and it is hard to see what material changes have occurred since then that could justify reversal of the previous decisions or our original view.

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“We await the hearing dates and trust that it will be held locally, not in Bath, in the interest of fairness.”