Latest news with #Williton
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Community hub to open in former council office in Williton
Three publicly owned buildings will be sold off following the completed refurbishment of a former council Somerset House, on Killick Way in Williton, was the joint headquarters of Somerset West and Taunton Council until the council's abolition in April taking over the building, Somerset Council had been carrying out refurbishment work to allow the village library and other services to operate out of the site, the Local Democracy Reporting Service the building due to reopen on 25 June, the council said it would sell off the former library, children's centre and Beckett House, with the proceeds being used to fund front-line services. Since Somerset Council officially took over, no in-person meetings had been held at West Somerset House – with all meetings of its planning committee west taking place in Taunton and being decision to remodel the building was taken by the council in March Federica Smith-Roberts, the lead member for communities, housing and culture said: "By bringing the library, customer access point and other services together under one roof, we're creating a hub where people can access vital services and get support."The ground floor of the revamped West Somerset House will comprise the library, registration service and children's addition to selling off the former library building and children's centre, the council also intended to dispose of Beckett House on Bridge head of property Simon Lewis said the council's ongoing financial emergency meant it was not in the public interest for these surplus assets to be council has declined to state how much it expects to raise from the sale of these three buildings, citing commercial sensitivity.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
350 homes approved in Williton despite flooding and traffic fears
Hundreds of new homes have been given the go ahead despite fears over flooding, traffic and renewable energy Wyndham Estate in Williton, Somerset, will include 350 homes, commercial space, leisure facilities and public open critics on Somerset Council had complained about the refusal of the developer, Lovell Homes, to fit solar panels on the Homes had argued the panels were not viable following the government's closure of a scheme whereby homeowners could sell electricity back to the grid. It said the panels would also have a negative visual impact. Councillor Dave Mansell said while "there are lots of good features of this scheme", the developer seemed to have "weird prejudices" against solar Caroline Ellis said solar panels would work in conjunction with air source heat pumps being installed, saving homeowners money on bills, adding: "It's ridiculous that it isn't already mandatory for any new developments."In 2019, the Government closed its feed-in-tariff scheme to new applicants, meaning homeowners could no longer get cash if their renewable energy sources generated enough energy to feed some back to the national to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, under the proposals, 44 per cent of the new homes will be affordable (the equivalent of 155 properties) – far above the 35 per cent mandated within the council's homes will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, with cycle storage and electric vehicle charging points fitted as standard. 'Cars piling up' Councillor Rosemary Woods feared the homes would be subject to flooding and questioned the impact the homes would have on the already busy Nick O'Donnell said: "Here we have 350 homes coming onto the A39 – I can see cars piling up waiting to get onto the main road."To address the issues surrounding flooding, "balancing ponds" have been planned for the estate along with estate was approved with conditions including the developer paying £200,000 to deliver 1 mile (1.5km) of the Steam Coast Trail – a path for walkers and cyclists.A further £500,000 will be provided for new walking and cycling links between the development site and the village of Williton, with an extra £200,000 for a new toucan bus stops will also be upgraded, with a contribution of up to £500,000 to support the 28 service between Minehead and Taunton and the 15 service between Minehead and is expected to begin by the spring of 2026.
