The section of Waterside Valley shown on the map pictured below came on the market early this year and local residents contacted the Parish Council with their concerns and aspirations for the land.

The land is unlikely to be given planning permission for housing under present planning law, but that might change. The only way, therefore, to achieve certainty and safeguard this valuable green space for future generations, is to purchase it.

Waterside Valley is a dearly loved asset in the community, valued for its wildlife. Its fresh air is an antidote to the toxins of the A367, and it is an environment for enjoying nature, sledging in winter and animal grazing. It can help alleviate issues of mental health and is an outside space to walk, especially for the increasing number of people working from home.

As one local resident described it: “Waterside Valley is a key area in the community, it is used by people in many different ways – if the usage of the field was restricted or the environment was impacted due to a developer, there would be an impact on many people’s lives and the wildlife that resides in it.

“The community is using the land for all sorts of reasons, with dog walkers, runners, walkers, nature lovers and children all benefitting from the space. Wildlife is also in abundance there.

“The area is maintained by the community – a resident of Birch Road uses a sit-on lawnmower to mark out paths for people to use as they walk through the field; there are often community groups getting together to clean the Miner’s Pool and remove rubbish from the river. If the community already takes responsibility for it to an extent, imagine what can be done working with the local authority?”

What is the financial impact of purchasing this land on the people of Westfield?

This is an important question. At its meeting in February, the Parish Council stated its intention, should the purchase go ahead, to seek s.106 funding for green space and grant funding from other organisations. The capital cost of purchasing the land would not have an impact on the Westfield precept. However, the ongoing maintenance of the land as the years go by would probably have an impact.

Westfield Parish Council know that the local residents care deeply for this land and there is already a high degree of voluntary work going on there, which would be encouraged. They would explore with local farmers the grazing of animals to help keep the grass down and B&NES Councillors would apply for Community Infrastructure Levy money to improve the public right of way footpath.

How can you access Waterside Valley?

There is a public footpath which runs the length of the

valley from the top of Church Street, Radstock, behind the SWALLOW café up to the back of Westfield’s Industrial Estate. It is part of the Westfield Heritage Walk: https://www.westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk/community/heritage-walks/

The Parish Council would love to hear from you – they need to know if there is a will for this initiative to go ahead and would like to hear the concerns, too. Please contact: [email protected] or write to Westfield Parish Council, The Oval Office, Cobblers Way, Westfield BA3 3BX. The consultation will also be on the Parish Council Facebook page.

Please send in your thoughts by 28th March 2021.