Bath and North East Somerset Council has defended a notice that has been placed around Waterloo Road, Radstock, which has come in for criticism as a pre-emptive move to dispose of the land, whilst a planning decision on the new Doctor’s Surgery for Hope House is still yet to be made.

The notice states that the Council is proposing to dispose of the land in order that it may be developed into a Healthy Living Centre for the benefit of the local community. Comments need to be received by the local authority by 10th July.

A spokesperson for B&NES Council told The Journal this week: “It is important that a distinction is made between a Council’s role as landowner and any requirement to obtain planning permission.

“Where a Council is considering the potential disposal of public open space under its ownership, then as landowner, the Council has a statutory duty to advertise its intentions in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks, and to consider any objections. Local Authorities should carry out these procedures before making any final decisions about disposal, as the public response to the notices may be material to any such decision.

“This process is separate from any requirement to obtain planning consent.”

A target decision date on the planning application for a new Doctor’s Surgery, Children’s Centre and Library was originally expected next week. Hope House have said that delays could cost them the project, as grant funding could be lost.