The monthly meeting of Radstock Town Council, held on Monday evening this week, saw Councillors vote to recommend the refusal of the demolition of the old former St Nicholas Infant School and the subsequent housing that is proposed for the site, arguing that the new development would be out of keeping with the town's historic buildings.
The old school, which has stood empty for years, has been damaged and home to squatters in the past, but Councillors argued that ways to repair and retain the building should be looked at first, due to its historic bell tower and proximity of other listed buildings. The planning application is for six two-bedroom dwellings with parking, cycle and refuse store and children's play space. Comments on the application will be permitted until 10th October, with a decision due to be made on 11th November.
The Town Council also discussed a new logo, which will be incorporated on the town's gateway signs. This money will be coming from part of the £500,000 allocated to Radstock by B&NES, which is being split into different projects. £15,000 will go to gateway improvements, including heritage and tourism, and £50,000 to community buildings in the town with money to be spent on Whisty Community Centre, Writhlington Village Hall and Haydon Que Club. Councillors decided against the logo designs put forward at the meeting, with some arguing that a logo which will last for years should be put out to the community to decide – with, perhaps, a competition by young designers from Writhlington School or Norton Radstock College. Due to timing constraints, this was voted against. B&NES Cllr, Dave Dixon, is due to attend the October meeting of the Town Council where he will be presenting signage ideas.
Forthcoming events were also discussed, including the 'Making a Difference Award' event, due to take place on 15th October, 8 p.m. at Radstock Methodist Church Hall. An International Men's Day is being planned for Saturday, 16th November with a buffet, speaker and Sirona offering free health advice for men. Looking at finances and resources, the Council decided that, like last year, the Seniors' Christmas Party will not be taking place.
The town are also keen to mark the fortieth anniversary of the closure of local mines and will be looking into the possibility of a commemorative slab in the Memorial Park, a plaque on the wall of the musuem, or an information board, also in the Memorial Park. A suggestion has been made that ex-miners, railway workers or relatives might like to sponsor commemorative sets, with names and dates on, which could be placed in the park.
Whilst Midsomer Norton are hoping to place defibrillators in unused phone boxes, Radstock Town Council were discussing the possibility of a diorama in theirs, a miniature model that will depict the town's history.
Interim arrangements whilst the Tom Huyton kiosk remains closed, were also debated.