PUBLIC notices cover a range of applications, ranging from licensing applications for liqueur or entertainment to planning applications, roadworks and other works.

Their intention is to inform communities of the latest plans in their area and such applications are considered for approval or refusal by local authorities.

Here is one of the latest applications submitted to Somerset Council:

St Giles Church in Bradford-on-Tone is seeking permission to add a new toilet facility to the church site. This planning application is for the construction of a new detached toilet cubicle building on the north side of the tower of the church to provide the congregation, church function users and parishioners with an essential facility.

The Grade II listed church from ca. 1300 is surrounded by a modest enclosed churchyard adjoining the village hall, and the grounds of the courthouse near the river Tone. The church, built of ‘Chert’ from the Blackdown hills has been extensively repaired and restored over the years.

Until now the church has had access to the local village hall for use of their toilet facilities. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) have reassessed this situation with regard to safeguarding issues as more infirm members of the community struggle to cover the distance to the village hall, particularly in bad weather.

With no free space inside the church to add a toilet facility, the PCC has looked externally to site the facility: a “detached structure is proposed externally, located to minimise its impact on the setting and fabric of the church, but within easy walking distance with level access of the church door.” The new structure would be on the north side of the tower, screening it from the public view.

The new toilet is to be of “simple form, comprising insulated timber featheredge clad walls on a reconstructed stone plinth, under an insulated mono-pitched roof with ‘Turncoat’ steel roof to replicate leadwork.” It is planned to provide full wheelchair access to comply with the DDA requirement with the foul drainage connected to the existing sewer in the road, with the “line of the drain is kept clear of the tower and to follow the paths so as not to compromise any graves within the churchyard.”

The statement concludes: “The ‘less than substantial harm’ of the proposal is offset by the greater public benefit that the facility will provide.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The application can be viewed on the Somerset Council planning portal under 07/26/0005.