Radstock's Town Council was urged to recommend a local planning application for the well-respected Manor Farm Residential Home - which is not only right in the heart of the town but has an incredible history.

The Home asked back in 2014 to expland but the application was rejected because, as a Grade II listed building the development was believed too be too big and intrusive.

Now it has made an application to add on five or six extra bedrooms.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson, who was on the council when the previous application was made, told councillors on January 20 that Manor Farm needed to expand to stay financially viable, or it would be under threat.

She told the Radstock Town Council: " It is one of the few local establishments to provide beds funding by B& NES Council. Our residents too often find their relatives shunted off.... keeping relatives in their community is essential for their well being."

But she also talked about how Manor Farm, which was originally mentioned in the Domesday Book, offered vital local jobs. She said: " This is a family-run establishment with a homely atmosphere. With carers having to commute to Bath for work, more local jobs will also be very welcome."

Worries about the shortage of workers in the health and care industries across Somerset was highlighted on January 20 with a special report by the Local Democracy Reporter on our sister site Midsomer Norton Nub news which can be found under the red button.

The planning application for the additional bedrooms was passed unanimously by Radstock Town Council.

The next planning meeting for Radstock Town Council will be at 6.30pm on February 17 at Radstock Methodist Church, to which the public are welcome to attend. It will be followed after a short break by the full council meeting again with the public encouraged to come to and here about what is happening in the town.