Local residents at Underhill Lane are angry at the prospect of around two hundred new houses being bolted onto Midsomer Norton, putting unwarranted pressure on already stretched local infrastructure and threatening the destruction of important woodland.

This is the second time Mendip District Council have attempted to include major housing expansion on its border with Midsomer Norton.

The area under threat is at the north-west corner of Midsomer Norton, between the Orchard Community Hall and Underhill Lane, and then across the lane behind Somer Avenue.

Ben Warren, B&NES Conservative Candidate for Midsomer Norton North, who, with Cllr Michael Evans, is leading the campaign with local residents, said: “The threat is contained in Mendip District Council’s Proposed Changes to the Submission Draft of the Mendip Local Plan, Part II.

“Residents are clearly telling me that they don’t see how Underhill Lane could possibly carry the level of traffic two hundred new houses would generate.

“Also there are concerns over drainage and flooding if houses are built so close to the river.

“Finally, the Underhill Wood is a much-loved local feature people do not want to see chopped down.

“We are encouraging as many local residents as possible to write in with their comments as part of a consultation, now underway, by 5 p.m. on Wednesday 24th April.”

All responses should be sent by post to: Planning Policy, Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT or by email: [email protected]

Overall examination hearing sessions, which are part of the overall examination into the Local Plan Part II, will open on Tuesday, 23rd July at 10 a.m. and are scheduled to end on Friday, 2nd August. The Inspector’s guidance notes and list of matters and issues to be examined can be found at: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/localplanexamination