A PUBLIC meeting is being held next week as a campaign group battles to ‘save the heart’ of a West Somerset village.

The ‘Save the Heart of Stowey’ group is urging people to attend the meeting in Nether Stowey Church Centre on February 22.

It has been organised by the parish council to seek community views on a controversial planning application for 60 homes and a shop on land next to Stogursey Lane, on the opposite side of the A39 from the main village.

The application was made by F.G. Jeanes and Son Ltd, the family firm of parish Cllr Andrew Jeanes.

A parish council spokesperson said: “Given the importance of this proposal the parish council are seeking the views of villagers before reaching a decision.”

‘Save the Heart of Stowey’ founders Lu Potter and Hilary Bates said the heart of the village was at risk following the loss of its Post Office, shop, and cafe.

They said an option was being explored for a ‘community purchase of the Post Office, shop, and cafe in its existing location’.

The pair said: “Our mission, if the community wants it, is to save and protect a vital community facility, ensuring its sustainability as a community asset for the future, with the prime objective being to serve the whole community of the Stowey villages and extended locality.

“If the Post Office, butcher, cafe, and shops were across the A39, they would be inaccessible to many in the village, and result in the loss of the few shops we have left in Nether Stowey.

“But, there is another option, a community owned cafe, Post Office, and store still in the heart of Nether Stowey.

“The idea a small group of people have been working up for a little while now is to raise the funds to buy the current Post Office building and turn it into a community owned cafe, Post Office and store.

“From our initial discussions we believe there will be enough support to make it real.

“But it is a big task which will need solid backing and help.

“If we do not act fast though, this opportunity may be lost.”

The pair said the meeting on February 22 would be a great opportunity for villagers to have their say.

They said: “This development is unlikely to be approved by the parish council if the community wants to keep the retail centre of Nether Stowey in the current village.

“But, remember, the parish council can only take your views into account regarding the development if you go to the consultation or contact them directly.

“If there is enough support for the community owned venture, we are willing to pursue this, so please do get in touch.”

‘Save the Heart of Stowey’ can be contacted at [email protected].

The church centre meeting has been scheduled to run from 10 am to 2 pm.

Somerset Council has given planning permission for the Post Office building, which is on the market for sale, to be converted into two homes.