Planning news in and around Midsomer Norton this week:

Over in Midsomer Norton at 67 Northmead Road, under reference

21/03974/COND, which is the application to build a granny annex on the site of a current shed, the homeowners have applied to discharge conditions 5,6 and 7 of application 21/02251/FUL .

A retrospective application is in for an extension at 34 Priory Close, Midsomer Norton, (that is under reference 18/02159/FUL).

Over in Paulton, another retrospective planning application for a single storey rear conservatory at 8 Rudgeway Road, (details under

21/04294/HPD)

And in case you missed it, the local councillor Shaun Hughes is asking residents to make their views felt with the latest consultation about the future development of the town.

Cllr Hughes posted last week: " We finally get rid of the ridiculous plan to sell South Road car park to a supermarket, now our council want the option to sell it for housing? It is clear that despite our objections B&NES council continue ignore us and look to find ways to sell our facilities for short term financial gain."

You can read about the consultation by clicking HERE : It is on Page 25.

The following issues are identified as key risks to achieving the ambitions for Midsomer Norton.

• Increasingly strong competition from nearby market towns in surrounding

districts.

• Lack of medium and large sized shopping units.
• The dominance of parking in the street scene, poor pedestrian links,

busy roads and a lack of public space.

• Under-developed evening economy to contribute to a sense of vibrancy and community.

The report states: "Whilst the town centre overall benefits from a wide range of independent shops, at present the core area is relatively weak and fails to fulfil its potential. It is dominated by non-retail uses and small units of a poor character."

There are also proposals for part of the Town Park to have some residential development, only proposals but a notion of about 35 dwellings to be located at the eastern part of the site accessing from Wheelers Road.

Meantime in planning applications decided by B&NES this week:

Cedar cladding to a rear extension at 5 Withies Park, in Midsomer Norton, along with installing Velux windows, can go ahead.

And a loft conversion at 17 Sunnyside, on the Main Street, in Farrington Gurney, has been given the go-ahead.