In local planning news this week:

26 Hillside Avenue, in Midsomer Norton, under reference

22/01401/FUL has applied to build a single storey extension following the demolition of existing rear single storey extension. In Westfield an application for approval of reserved matters (14/04003/OUT) for the work on building of 81 new homes and associated works on land at the former St Peter's Factory, on Cobblers Way. Oval Estates in Bath is building the homes and they have put in an application to vary the look of some of the homes, saying they want to create a "better mix of house types"

(Full details of the overall plan under PP-11158715)

In Radstock, under a resubmission, an application under plans for the Derelict Yard, Bath Old Road, Radstock, ( reference 22/01366/COND) for 26 homes. The developer has applied for discharge of condition 12 (Materials - Submission of Schedule and Samples (Bespoke Trigger)) of application 17/03926/OUT.

Over in High Littleton, Starlight Cottage at 8 The Batch, under 22/01234/FUL, has applied to build a single storey front and rear extensions.

Also in High Littleton, Leamore, on Scumbrum Lane has applied to build a detached garage to the south of the main house, convert the existing integral garage into a gym and turn the existing garage door into a double glazed window. Details under 22/01391/FUL.

In case you missed it in early March, housebuilder Persimmon Homes has submitted an outline application for 190 houses on land south of Fossefield Road, Fosse Way, Stratton-on-the-Fosse. Details HERE: the Mendip site

The proposed development on land to the east of the A367 is for 133 market homes and 57 affordable homes as well as a children's play area.

In planning decisions this week:

The Cottage , Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney has been given the go ahead to build a single storey side extension and two rear extensions.

And homeowners at 1 The Dring, in Westfield have been given permission to build a side extension, a replacement porch and a replacement garage.

Meantime.

B&NES commits additional £835k to new Keynsham primary school

The new 420 place school on the Hygge Park development is being delivered by the Department for Education to meet the needs of the town's growing population.

As part of its commitment to tackle the climate emergency and to ensure the buildings are of the highest quality and environmental standards to achieve Passivhaus accreditation, the council is contributing an additional £835k of S106 funding from developers to the project. The total contribution being made by the council for Passivhaus is £981k and £835k was recently approved towards these funds.

Passivhaus is an international low energy design standard which minimises the environmental impact of buildings and uses the best approaches to ensure energy efficiency.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture said: "The new school will serve the local community for decades to come so it's essential we get the design right and ensure we minimise its impact on the environment. This investment will not only save energy but significantly reduce running costs."

In order to achieve Passivhaus accreditation a number of changes have been made to the original designs for the new school. The building will produce its own energy from photovoltaic panels on the roof generating 102,269 kWh annually. The new school will also incorporate: A very airtight form of construction

High levels of insulation with no thermal bridging

High performance triple glazed windows and doors with insulated frames

A mechanical ventilation system incorporating heat recovery systems

Two electric air source heat pumps

Low energy building services and equipment

All electric services (no gas supply to the building) The new purpose built two-form entry primary school will be operated by Futura Learning Partnership with the buildings scheduled to open in September 2022. The school is currently based in purpose-built temporary accommodation on the Wellsway School campus.