Supporters of a project for Kilmersdon to have its very own community shop and café have been celebrating after Mendip District Council’s Planning Board approved their application.
After a relatively short deliberation, the vote saw eleven in favour and two against, with many of those who voted in favour speaking with enthusiasm about the project. However, both the Parish Council and Village Hall Committee have objected to the plans, which would see the shop and café built adjacent to the hall, with fears that it would not be viable and would encourage developers to begin considering the village for further house building, should such a facility exist.
Ken Hutton, Chair of the Kilmersdon Community Shop and Café Committee, said this week: “On behalf of the shop committee, I would like to thank all of our Kilmersdon supporters who attended the meeting and we now look forward very much to working with the Parish Council and Village Hall Committee to resolve any issues which may have been raised.”
Now that the application for consent to build has been passed, the fundraising begins in earnest. So far, a sold-out quiz and curry evening has taken place, with the help of well known Clapton chef, Bini Ludlow and this Saturday, world-renowned adventurer and explorer, David Hempleman-Adams, will be coming to Kilmersdon Village Hall to share his experiences. There are very limited tickets left – to secure yours, contact: 01761 435193 or: 01761 433331.
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The team have a long road ahead of them and will need to raise around £350,000 to complete the project. The village is no stranger to raising large amounts of money, rallying round to repair the church bell tower in 2013. The community contributed £18,000 to the repair costs and applied for grants to cover the £163,000 bill.