Plans have been submitted to Mendip District Council to build three new almhouses in Shepton Mallet.

The planning application for the building of three almshouses in Church Lane, Shepton Mallet, has been made by chairman of United Charities - Shepton Mallet, Jeff Curtis.

Numbers 10 to 16 Church Lane and the land around them are almshouses, owned by United Charities - Shepton Mallet.

All of the properties are Grade II listed and the application has been submitted to build three low profile, additional almshouses, suitable for disabled and less-abled occupants.

Shepton Mallet School and Almshouses were set-up in May 1627 by the Strodes, local wealthy landowners to provide education for the poor and homes for the elderly, originally poor widows and later for men "of the protestant religion".

During its long history it has absorbed many other charities and has now become United Charities.

Apart from its original remit it has variously paid pensions to poor widows, given bread to the poor, provided apprenticeships and paid passage to the Americas.

The new almshouses proposal is to utilise garden areas which the charity says costs it money to

maintain.

It is intended to create three additional open plan, level, one-bedroom almshouses, suitable for disabled or special needs persons, with an open void roof space, to create a light open ambience.

Other planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been submitted to Mendip District Council this week include:

Proposed works to tree/s in a Conservation Area: T1 (Willow) - Fell at Riverside Cottage, Long Street, Croscombe, are wanted by Mrs Mary O'Connell.

Erection of a single storey extension, veranda to north elevation, conservatory to south elevation and alterations to roof at Heckley Lodge, Heckley Lane, Ashwick, has been applied for by Mr Ian Davis.

Erection of a detached workshop/garage with store above at Rookery Farm, Zion Hill to Underhill, Ashwick, is wanted by Ms Julia Street.

Application to vary condition 2 (drawings) on previously approved 2018/0992/FUL in relation to works to the lower barn which include extending out by approximately 2.0m from the rear wall and to enlarge and modify the windows to the east elevation at Lower Eastcombe Farm, Eastcombe Farm Lane, Batcombe, has been made by Mr and Mrs B Morris. A proposed tennis court, swimming pool, greenhouse and associated groundworks in position of approved potting shed (application 2018/0992/FUL - not yet implemented) have been applied for at the same address.

Residential mobile home/chalet with outbuilding at Bramble Caravan, Dark Lane, North Wootton, is wanted by Mr Charles Coombes.

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 2 (Flood Warning Evacuation Plan) and 3 (Access) on planning consent 2020/0346/PAA at Brook House Farm, Leighton Lane, Evercreech, has been made by Mr Heal.

Works to a tree in a Conservation Area - T1 - Leylandii - Fell at Ashfield, Bakery Lane, Pilton, have been applied for by Dr Stephen Tofts.

Prior Approval for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to two smaller dwellinghouses and two larger dwellinghouses (Class C3) and for associated operational development at Southill Farm, Southill House to Hemberton Cottage, Cranmore, is wanted by Mr Nick Hiscox.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been decided by Mendip District Council this week include:

Outline planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse with details of access at Albany Cottage, Underhill to Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade, by Mr A Hillman has been approved.

Conversion of a redundant rural barn to a dwelling, including rebuilding of wing and erection of garage at Meadow Farm, Fosse Road, Oakhill, by Mr Andrew Mortimore has been approved.

Erection of single storey rear extension at 9 The Granary, High Street, Oakhill, by Mr and Mrs A Powell has been approved.

Proposed single storey rear extension at 10 Westmead, Chilcompton, by K Chard has been approved.

Extension and refurbishment of existing building, replacement of external cladding, upgrade of flat roof to improve thermal performance and provision of new canopy at The County First School, Leigh Street, Leigh-on-Mendip, by the Board of Governors has been approved.

Erection of extension to dwelling at Home Farm Office, Kennel Lane, East Pennard, by Mr Martin Llewellyn has been approved.

Relocation of agricultural barn at Brook Hall, Leighton Lane, Evercreech, by Mr Simon Heal has been withdrawn.