Radstock Methodist Church Hall witnessed an extraordinary meeting in more than one sense of the word on Monday evening – one that sometimes lacked order, and which definitely saw feelings running high.
The meeting had been called by Radstock Town Council following the previous week’s monthly meeting – where Honorary Alderman and ex-B&NES Councillor, Terry Reakes, had called from the public gallery for the site at Waterloo Road, proposed for a new Doctor’s Surgery and community centre, also housing the town’s Children’s Centre and Library, to be protected as a Town Green.
Once members of the public had spoken, the Town Clerk revealed that legal advice had been taken on the proposal to protect the green space, and that there is very strict criteria to apply for village green status, which would include proving that the land had been used for over twenty years for sports and recreational purposes. A subsequent planning inquiry could come at a cost of £40,000, and could take a lengthy five to twelve years to complete. To audible gasps in the public gallery, the Clerk also confirmed that in 2002, the land had been classed as open green space, however, with the recent placemaking plan, which had been agreed by Town Councillors and B&NES, this plan, which supercedes anything previously, now classes the land as brownfield. It was later revealed that B&NES intend to spend around £1.4 million on the project for the town.
Chair, Mike Boulton, said that: “The Town Council simply hasn’t got that sort of money. That is absolutely certain.” Cllr Bruce Shearn added: “We are a small Council not in a position to spend – we can’t justify this to the people of Radstock. We are desperate for a new Doctor’s Surgery and cannot carry on like this. Year on year, our population is growing, and as Councillors, we have the duty of looking after the well-being and care of local people.”
Whilst the public accused Hope House Surgery of being desperate for the NHS funding that it stands to lose, should planning not be approved, it was revealed that some of the other sites looked at had reportedly wanted millions of pounds, giving them little choice. Other Councillors expressed anger that the new surgery had not been allowed for during the Linden Homes regeneration scheme.
Referring to keeping the “best preserved mining town,” Cllr Chris Dando said: “I am tired of this quote, because it means that nothing has happened – it’s not something that we should be celebrating. Life has moved on.
“We cannot rewrite history, let’s be absolutely clear – this site was once a railway, not a greenfield site – brownfield. I have every sympathy for those in Waterloo Road; I can see both sides, but I think Radstock would kick itself collectively if it woke up in 2019 to find it no longer had a Doctor’s Surgery, Children’s Centre, library or pharmacy anymore.
“This proposal gives us an opportunity to have a purpose-built centre; parking is already untenable in the centre of Radstock, whether there is a doctor’s surgery or not. Providing better health care facilities for people in our town is important – at the end of the day, all we have is our health.
“This is an opportunity we should seize. Like you, I can think of many alternative sites, but it always comes down to money. I celebrate the fact that the NHS wants to invest in Radstock. We have to think of a way of making this work, and make the best of what is available to us.
“We also need to respect individuals’ views. Our doctors do a marvellous job in difficult circumstances. It is ok to disagree, but let’s do so in a friendly fashion.”
The Methodist Church Hall was full of members of the public, many of whom wanted to express their opinion. One resident speaking out against the plans said: “I have never really felt the need to speak out over local issues, but this proposal has made me concerned for the town’s future.
“This is not just any green space – it denotes the very character of our town, which gives us our identity. The view along Waterloo Road would change beyond recognition should the plans be approved. It would be unthinkable to put a medical centre in front of the Royal Crescent, and equally unthinkable that we build one behind the Miners’ Wheel.”
Robin Moss, B&NES Councillor and Leader of the local Labour group, but speaking as a Radstock resident, said that he supported the idea of a relocated Doctor’s Surgery. He added: “I walk that area frequently, and I’ve only ever seen people walking their dogs there. We are lucky to have the Tom Huyton play park and the Greenway – I hope you don’t spend our council taxpayers’ money on an application for a village green – because it isn’t one.”
Dr Alison Humphrey, from Hope House Surgery, said: “As local GPs we care about our patients and about the local community. Day in, day out we come face to face with the health and social needs of people within the community. We have seen how these needs, as well as health inequalities and deprivation, have increased in recent years.
“Whilst it has been possible to implement some new services in the current building, it is too small, has poor accessibility to those with additional needs, and cannot accommodate the increasing population.
“We agree with the widely-held view that space for health care facilities should have been allocated on the redevelopment land, but this wasn’t the case.
“We want to provide GP services for the community, in the community, for decades to come, attracting excellent staff and with a level of access and quality that we feel the community deserves; as well as securing existing services and enabling new ones.”
Other residents expressed concerns over Children’s Services being in such close proximity to the general public, with reports of a storm drain under the site being potentially problematic. Tests on the land were being carried out by surveyors last week.
Towards the end of the agenda item, Cllr Bruce Shearn proposed a motion that due to financial restrictions, the Town Council should turn down the Town Green proposal, which would also be difficult to uphold, due to its brownfield status. He further proposed that a small sub-committee be formed to work with doctors to promote another site, or a better designed building, which was supported by fellow Councillors, with one abstention.
The planning application for the new Doctor’s Surgery and community building is expected to be submitted to B&NES this week.