The controversial development of 58 houses on the edge of Midsomer Norton may not be done and dusted.

At the meeting of Midsomer Norton Town Council on September 5 councillors heard that the Curo plans were not necessarily all fixed, and protests against the development, which would see two homes demolished to make way for access onto the new housing, could yet be stopped.

B&NES Councillor Shaun Hughes told the meeting he had been staggered by the weight of opposition to the plans which were put into planners in July.

Curo is proposing to build 58 new homes, including 30% affordable housing, on land at Underhill Farm, in Midsomer Norton.

He told the Town Council : " At least 150 people wrote and opposed the plans, compare that to the numbers who opposed the gas development planned in Radstock.. that was around 60. This development may not go ahead, we can oppose it ."

The site is complicated by the fact, while it lies on the edge of Midsomer Norton it lies under the jurisdiction of Mendip planners. But Cllr Hughes urged councillors to step up and help fight the plans. " Where are our councillors ? " he asked the meeting. " There are legitimate reasons why this application may not succeed. "

There are currently 22 comments opposing the development - with transport a key concern - but there is also a question about possible water pollution, which Cllr Hughes referenced. One comment claimed : "B&NES Drainage and flooding team have noted that this is a cross boundary application, however all surface water flows will be flowing into the B&NES watercourse which is a small stream. This could result in contaminated water from the roads and properties going into the stream. Also, there has been no mention of an assessment of the capacity of the current watercourse. "

The site was allocated for housing development in Mendip District Council's Local Plan Part II, approved in December 2021.

The site is located on the western edge of Midsomer Norton, between Underhill Farm to the west and Orchard Vale to the east. Underhill Wood borders the site to the north and the Woodside estate is situated to the south.

Cllr Evans for Midsomer Norton Town Council told him; " If this development doesn't go ahead, then another one will. "

If the Curo plans get the green light, construction will begin on site in the spring 2024, with a view to completing the development by 2026.

You can read the original details of the plans HERE and a report from the Local Democracy Reporter on what is planned HERE