A row has erupted after residents noticed an historic World War II pillbox has been partly demolished at Westfield, whilst both the Parish Council and B&NES were attempting to have it listed. The structures, which are dotted around our area, including one at Midsomer Norton South Station, and others on the Westfield estate, were made to withstand wartime attacks, and were built in this area to defend our railway and local industry.

Given the potential bombardment that these structures could have faced, they are difficult and costly to demolish, with fortification underground as well.

The land upon which it stands was once owned by Curo, and the social housing landlord has now come under fire for selling the site and its asset, having been made fully aware of the Parish Council’s concern for the structure, and its intention to have it listed, as far back as last May. It is alleged that Curo sold the land privately, despite being aware of B&NES’ concern for the structure, and knew that the new owner intended to demolish it.

A spokesperson for Westfield Parish Council said: “The sale by Curo of the pillbox and the subsequent demise of this historic asset is a much felt loss to our community. The pillbox features in our draft Neighbourhood Plan and had been earmarked as an asset by B&NES to be listed.”

The Parish Council is now calling upon Curo to explain why the land on which the pillbox stands was sold without any consultation and why nothing was in place to protect it.

In an email passed to The Journal, a B&NES Officer notes: ‘It has always been the Council’s intention to secure the long-term preservation of this and other structures within our district, and this was made clear to Curo from the outset. When we were contacted recently by a concerned resident, I was confident that the structure was safe from demolition by virtue of its ownership.

‘However, I was dismayed to learn that the asset had been sold without any notification to the Council. The sale removed the one factor that was stopping it from being demolished and consequently we have lost a valuable WWII asset.’

A spokesperson for Curo has added: “Curo sold the land in July this year. Although the pillbox on the land was not Listed or held in trust, we made the buyer aware of the local council’s desire to retain and conserve it as an historic asset.”

Speaking to The Journal this week, the owner of the land said that he had done everything he could to make all parties involved aware of his intention, and that no-one had been interested in the pillbox. He added that as far as he was aware, all correct procedures had been followed, including demolition notices, and purchase of the land.

It is thought that there were once around 28,000 pillboxes and other hardened field fortifications built, with around 6,500 still standing. Do you have a pillbox on your land? Have you made a feature of it? Get in touch and let us know: [email protected]