Welcome to Radstock Action Group

Cam Valley Wildlife Group's response to the Reserved Matters application 08/02332/RES - 30th June 2009

Click here to download Cam Valley Wildlife Group's response (69Kb pdf).

Statements from Radstock Action Group on Reserved Matters 08/02332/RES

Statements made on behalf of Radstock Action Group to the Norton Radstock Town Council meeting of 29th June 2009 can be downloaded below:

Statement 1 (27Kb pdf) | Statement 2 (31Kb pdf)

Press Release: Are Bellway/NRR plans being rushed through? - 28th June 2009

Amongst all the paperwork submitted in the latest attempt by the NRR to get agreement to the plans for the railway land in Radstock, there are very few new documents. The only changes appear to be to the amount of wooden cladding remaining on the blocks - it now seems to be concentrated on the two blocks reserved for social housing, as opposed to those which will be offered for sale.

Radstock Action Group would like to know what exactly the following sentence, amongst others of equally unplain English, means under the heading Justification of Design Approach for Use of timber Boarding on Facades of Flats ...

"The timber boarding will emphasise the architectual massing on the 'monopitch' gable ends and the bays that project over the front entrances."

Really? At least, they now feel that they have to justify such proposals which are totally at odds with the character of the centre of Radstock which doesn't feature any wood cladding at all.

When Norton Radstock Town Council is asked yet again, at short notice, on Monday 29 June, to consider these plans, it will do so without having had the opportunity to discuss them in the NRTC Planning and Environment Committee, since there has been insufficient notice from BANES. It is to be hoped that their opposition to the proposals will be maintained and that this time their voice will be heard at BANES level. Norton Radstock Town Council are statutory consultees and we are concerned that they are being given insufficient lead-in time to deal properly with the latest developments. We also wonder what the urgency is, given the lack of a bat survey and an archaeology survey, both of which are required before anything can happen.

Meanwhile, Radstock Action Group is putting together a portfolio of the best of Radstock's heritage buildings and supporters will be asked to let us have any information and records of interesting aspects of these buildings to contribute to the final publication. We are also putting together a complete set of positive ideas and proposals for the future redevelopment of the whole town. So watch this space.

Amanda Leon
For Radstock Action Group

Press Release: Latest on Bellway Application - not much sign of consultation here - 22nd June 2009

Last Wednesday, people who have found their way onto the BANES mailing list will have received notification of the latest proposals from NRR/Bellway in relation to the Radstock Railway site. But they haven't given those interested in looking at the plans much time - fourteen days from the date of the letter to be precise. Which means all comments have to be in by 30 June - and as far as we know there are no plans yet available in the Victoria Hall.

In the interests of community involvement and consultation, it is essential that BANES makes all residents and businesses aware of the latest plans by site notices, posters, announcements in the press and other media, but as things stand at present, only those who are already on the mailing list will be aware of the latest.

Additonally, Radstock Action Group wonders what the reason for this great haste is - with all sorts of possible developments emerging in relation to the Radco site and other related developments, it seems quite ridiculous that BANES, Bellway, NRR and all other interested parties can't sit down now and look at the overall long term and strategic development needs of the town.

Radstock Action Group will be urging all supporters to let their views be known and, in the absence of any announcements from BANES, we would encourage everyone to look at the latest proposals at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/majordevelopments/Radstock+Railway+Land+Redevelopment.htm (Reference 08/02332/RES). Apparently the plans are also available in Keynsham and Bath ...

Amanda Leon
For Radstock Action Group

Press Release: Victory for Radstock at the Development Control Committee - 19th April 2009

The Development Control Committee wants to think twice about the current NRR planning application - just time to celebrate before continuing the campaign.

Last Wednesday (15 April), the BANES Development Control Committee agreed by a convincing majority (only one against and one abstention) that they would defer a decision on the NRR/Bellway application in relation to the Railway Land in Radstock.

This marks a significant step forward and reflects the continued opposition of Radstock residents, traders and visitors to the plans. Radstock people have maintained the pressure - we'll have to continue to do so.

No-one can afford to be complacent, the plans have not been rejected (yet) and are being sent for 'further negotiation'. But what was encouraging was that the councillors on the committee had clearly taken on board the arguments put forward by Radstock Action Group and many others who have voiced opposition to the current 'regeneration' plans. Radstock was being taken more seriously, people have begun to appreciate that there are is something special about the town and that it deserves detailed consideration.

Radstock Action Group's demonstration outside the Guildhall was well attended and also attracted a lot of supportive comments and questions from passers by. Shame that the council has now discovered a reason why protestors can't hang their banners and placards on the railings. The group was thrilled to be joined by members of 'Save Warmley and Siston Greenspaces' who had heard what was going on through the ever growing network of groups fighting inappropriate development and 'regeneration'.

We were particularly pleased to see that Geoff Webber (the BANES Officer charged with presenting the case for acceptance) had lifted some of our some illustrations about the real Radstock as opposed to the mediocrity of the designs in the planning application. Those interested in viewing all these for themselves, can do so by clicking here.

The group has written to Les Kew, the chair of the committee, requesting some indication of the timescale for the next stages. A lot more work remains to be done on this very specific application, and we will be asking supporters for further help in the fight. A big thank you to everyone.

Midsomer Norton - don't go for UDI - there may be safety in numbers!

Radstock Action Group is unconvinced that a separate council for Midsomer Norton is going to be helpful either for them or for Radstock. More than anything, we recognise that each town has a separate and distinctive history, heritage and culture, and we will not be letting up on our determination to preserve and enhance Radstock.

Whatever it's failings, it is the responsibility of electors to ensure that Norton Radstock Town Council works effectively to gain recognition for all the communities which fall within its area. If things have been lack lustre up to now, then they need changing and those who have become disillusioned need to be encouraged to take part in local politics. The town council provides a potentially useful umbrella/banner for issues which both towns need to act on, such as transport strategy, safeguarding of the respective town halls, flood risks and, not least, the NRR. Because let no-one be under any illusions, NRR will have Midsomer Norton in its sights if it gets away with spoiling Radstock through insensitive and economically unsustainable 'regeneration'.

Together, the two towns can share strengths in addressing the problems that come into the area from a Bath dominated BANES (which must be rubbing its hands in glee at the prospect of the splitting of NRTC). Norton Radstock Town Council might often be ineffectual - it is up to those who care about the communities it is supposed to serve to get it working for those same communities.

Amanda Leon
For Radstock Action Group