West of England landmarks and housing rules face major changes while rural Somerset funding gap persists
Bristol, Somerset and the Cotswolds are all seeing significant refurbishments and planning shifts, while parts of rural Somerset remain outside developer funding rules for local services.
A major refurbishment is planned for the Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol 24/7 reported [1].
New government planning changes could allow thousands more homes to be built near railway stations and give pubs extra protection from being turned into flats or shops, the Cotswold Journal reported [2].
In Somerset, plans have been submitted to convert three agricultural buildings at a farm into eight homes, the Somerset County Gazette reported [5]. The same outlet said a major refurbishment is planned for the Woolpack Inn in Beckington, a building that can trace its origins back to the 16th century, in order to secure its long-term future [6].
The Somerset County Gazette and the Bridgwater Mercury both reported that parts of rural Somerset are not currently covered by the community infrastructure levy, making it hard to secure funding for vital local services [3][4].
Sources
- Bristol 24/7: Major refurbishment planned for Bristol Hippodrome
- Cotswold Journal: Living near a railway station? Major change is coming with new government plans
- Somerset County Gazette: Rural parts of Somerset could miss out on funds from housing developers
- Bridgwater Mercury: Rural parts of Somerset could miss out on funds from housing developers
- Somerset County Gazette: Plans to convert farm buildings into eight homes in Somerset village
- Somerset County Gazette: Historic listed Somerset pub to undergo major refurbishment under new plans
This story was drafted by automation from the public sources cited below. See our editorial policy.