A MAJOR plan to build 200 homes, a cinema, supermarket, shops, and more than 400 parking spaces on Taunton's Firepool site has been approved.

Taunton Deane Borough Council's planning commitee tonight (March 14) gave the green light to the latest outline planning application to come forward from developers St Modwen.

The previous application was put forward in August 2016 and lambasted by councillors and the public with it being described as a "tarmac jungle", labelled as "disappointing", and accused of falling well below expectations.

RELATED: Firepool development approved - the story so far and what's next

The new application has up to 200 homes with 25 per cent of that being affordable, 425 commercial parking spaces with additional residential parking, a large building for a cinema or similar leisure use, a supermarket, and additional shops and restaurants.

There is one access to the site for public vehicles, with a second vehicle access to a work yard which will be available as an alternative for emergency services.

The latest version of the outline planning application from St Modwen's also features a revised boulevard which will run from the pedestrian crossing on NIDR near Taunton Station down to the south corner of the Firepool site where Priory Bridge Road crosses the River Tone.

This will be available for both pedestrians and cyclists to travel easily from the station to the town centre.

11 councillors voted in favour of the council officers recommendation to approve the application. There was an additional condition added that residents be consulted on flood defence plans.

Three councillors voted against the plans.