In planning news this week in and around Radstock.

Planners have agreed six applications to prune overhanging trees on land to the East of homes from 27 to 37 along Frome Road in Radstock. Radstock Town Council had opposed the application because the trees are in a conservation area and, they said, there did not appear any reason to remove them. In response planners state: "The trees are Ash and Ash Dieback caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was noted at various stages in the group. For the purposes of the

legislation relating to trees in conservation areas the Council is therefore bound to raise no objection to the works."

Also decided this week : A retrospective application for a wooden gazebo in rear garden at 28 Birch Road, in Westfield has been permitted.

At 1 Mill Lane, Timsbury, 21/03750/FUL an application is in for an extension and alterations to replace existing single-storey rear lean-to.

At Bungays Hill, in High Littleton, 21/03754/FUL, an application is in to build a general purpose farm building.

And along the Wells Road at Hallatrow, (under reference 21/03729/AR) there is an application for two non-illuminated stack signs on behalf of Shepperton Homes advertising the 15 new homes which will be built on the land.

And this from the Local Democracy Reporter, Stephen Sumner.

Plans for housing at St Martin's Hospital in Bath have been thrown out for a third time.

Colburn Homes hoped to address previous concerns about the lack of parking or tree planting, the "nondescript" design and the impact on the Grade II-listed Chapel of St Martin.

It scaled back its proposals, swapped the eight townhouses for the same number of flats and improved the parking arrangement to provide a dozen spaces.

Colburn Homes said in its application: "This proposal strikes the right balance between making best use of previously developed land whilst respecting the setting of heritage assets."

Bath and North East Somerset Council's conservation officer remained concerned about the impact on the chapel, while the Bath Preservation Trust maintained its opposition to the principle of development.

A further nine residents objected, saying the developer had failed to overcome the previous reasons for refusal.

Planning officers agreed and said the building would be a dominant and incongruous feature that would harm the setting of the chapel.

Recommending refusal, they said: "Whilst some planning benefits weigh in favour of the development, considerable weight must be given to the preservation of the designated heritage assets.

"For these reasons, the public benefits are not considered to be of a scale to outweigh the harm identified."

Elsewhere on the St Martin's Hospital campus, changes to the council's Local Plan could see three historic buildings – Kempthorne House, Midford House and Ash House – converted and a portakabin redeveloped to deliver 50 properties, as they are expected to be deemed surplus to requirements.