January's Radstock Town Council meeting saw yet another version of the NRR planning application to discuss its recommendations, as the debate begins hotting up in the town again, prior to B&NES' Development Control Committee due to look at the scheme next week.

Town Councillors met on Monday evening prior to the opportunity for discussion and debate on the future of rail in the town (due on Monday, 27th January), and the pending B&NES Development Control Committee meeting, where the various planning applications submitted by NRR and Linden Homes, to regenerate seventeen acres in the heart of Radstock, will be discussed next Wednesday, 29th January at Radstock Methodist Church at 2 p.m. It is likely a final decision will not be made that day, only that the committee may delegate to permit or recommend to refuse.

The proposals by Norton Radstock Regeneration Company and development partner, Linden Homes, will provide 190 new homes, including 47 affordable homes, restoration of the Brunel Rail Shed and permanent Sustrans cycle route, as well as commercial buildings and open spaces.

As well as arguments about decontamination and the proposed road scheme that have been made in previous months, there are concerns regarding the viability report, produced in October 2013 for the plans. B&NES Council would already be taking a hit on affordable housing, with only 25% included and the developers are asking that S 106 monies (which B&NES Council are asking for £2.3 million), be removed to make the affordable housing scheme possible. This then leaves B&NES in a situation where a regeneration scheme takes place, but without the extra investment to counteract or improve situations and environments that such a development could bring. Linden Homes argue that there are large costs involved in regeneration projects such as this, a factor for the scheme not proceeding before.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Deborah Porter said Radstock would be "In serious trouble if S 106 contributions were not made". Making a proposal, Cllr Peter Sas argued that: "My general feeling is not to object to the scheme. But S 106 money should not be waived, social housing should be pepper-potted around the development and railway access should be protected." This was supported by the majority of Councillors, who had earlier spoken of their concern that there did not appear to be room left for any kind of railway development in the plans. In previous meetings, Radstock Town Council have asked that if the scheme is permitted, it should be with conditions, two of these being that space is left for track and a turning circle for trains.

In a statement released on Tuesday this week, Cate Le Grice-Mack, Chair of Norton Radstock Regeneration Company, said: "The application is based on careful consideration of the need to support a strong commercial centre, as well as planning for improved access within and through the town.

"The industrial heart of Radstock, once bustling with hundreds of miners and railwaymen, has experienced diminished commercial activity for over thirty years. During that time, the old tracks have disappeared beneath grass and scrub, with employment within the site being completely lost. Over the last ten years, we have listened very carefully to what local people have to say about what they want for the future of their town and this new application takes this feedback on-board. It is designed to support safe access to the Colliers Way and National Cycle Network routes, while providing pedestrian access, both within and outside the development through wider pavements and traffic calming.

"While the seventeen-acre area occupies only a relatively small part of the town, we are aware of the role that this development will play in supporting its future. Alongside the mix of housing, significant amounts of office work and retail space will lead to substantial investment in Radstock, supporting the creation of new jobs. Nearly half the site will remain undeveloped and we remain committed to supporting mixed regeneration uses, restoration of the Brunel Shed, alongside access to the old railway line to Frome for walking, cycling and, hopefully one day, light rail use." (The use of the line to Frome for rail remains protected under an agreement between the relevant local authorities).

The Town Council have also asked for Radstock's currently closed public toilets to be kept and updated, should the scheme go ahead – it has since been discovered that protected lesser horseshoe bats have taken up residence since closure, so it is likely that this building will now remain untouched.

Residents who would like to see the latest maps for the NRR/Linden Homes regeneration scheme can do so at Radstock Library, along with consultation forms for B&NES' potential budget cuts, which would affect universal services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau (see Cllr Eleanor Jackson's letter, Pages 2 and 16).

Other business saw members set the precept for the financial year, with no movement in cost to Radstock residents, thanks to a higher amount than expected coming from B&NES Council in the form of the precept support grant.

Expenditure during 2014/15 will likely see new Christmas lights purchased, as the existing ones were badly damaged with the collapse of the Christmas tree, money to invest in the In Bloom effort and potentially to St Nicholas' Church for help with maintenance and upkeep of the churchyard.

Money will also need to be spent on refurbishing the town's War Memorial, which will be completed in time for the commemoration of 100 years since the beginning of the First World War in August this year. Ideas of how to mark this were also discussed during the meeting.