SCORES of businesses could be lured to Taunton, creating up to 4,000 jobs under proposals for a 60-acre employment site.

A swathe of farmland just off Junction 25 of the M5 could begin to be converted into an industrial estate in about five years.

The land stretches from behind the park and ride site off the A358 at Henlade southwards to the opposite side of the motorway to the Blackbrook Pavilion.

Major road improvements will be needed, with tailbacks on the busy A358 already a daily occurrence and J25 at full capacity.

The plan, being announced this morning (Thursday) at a special meeting in Taunton, will be unpopular with neighbours.

Taunton Deane Council leader Cllr John Williams will tell delegates that the project will create space for new businesses and allow existing businesses to grow, attracting “significant investment and high quality jobs”.

Mr Williams will say: “We all know what a great place Taunton is, but we also know that we need the right kind of employment space with good connections to the major road network to achieve our growth ambitions.

“We are committed to responding to the identified demand for a high quality employment site and to help create the opportunities for more high quality jobs in Taunton”

He said the project would complement the proposed development of Firepool with homes, shops, offices and leisure facilities.

The scheme, part of the Growth Prospectus for Taunton, outlining development in the town up until 2018, is also backed by Somerset County Council.

County deputy leader Cllr David Hall said: “The economic opportunity to create jobs at J25 is a key element in the growth plan for Somerset.

“Our connectivity is one of our main strengths and here we have the potential to attract investment, foster growth and create opportunities which would benefit not only Taunton, but communities, businesses and residents across the whole county.”

An economic study in May concluded that land at J25 would be ideal for providing a range and choice of future supply of employment land, with good access to the national route network and enable Taunton to reach its “full economic potential”.

Delegates will hear that options are being drawn up to tackle congestion at the J25 interchange, which is already over-capacity, as well as along the A303/A358 and Toneway into Taunton.

It is estimated that Taunton’s population will grow by 20,000 to 85,000 by 2028, with 13,000 new homes over the same period.

Hundreds of people attended a public exhibition into the proposed development at Ruishton Village Hall before Christmas, where opponents said they did not want a site with “massive warehouses”; they want a by-pass for Henlade before any development; it is in the wrong place; the land is subject to flooding; and the scheme was “a wish rather than a justifiable site”.

*Organisers of this morning’s meeting lifted an embargo on publishing details of the proposals so County Gazette readers could get the story today (Thursday).

We respected a request not to discuss the story with anyone else until its publication, but we will provide updates and reaction on-line at somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news and in next week’s Gazette.

How big is the proposed site?

60 acres – the size of 25 rugby pitches.

How many jobs would it create?

Up to 4,000 once fully occupied.

When could work start?

It is anticipated the first phase of construction could begin in 2020.

Why is it needed?

To attract new employers and inward investment and would complement what is already on offer in Taunton, as well as the Firepool development.

Why this site?

It is easily accessible from the motorway.

What about other sites?

Existing vacant space at other locations, such as Westpark, at Chelston, near Wellington, is expected to be fully taken up within five years.

What about the impact on traffic?

Multi-million pound bids are in to make major improvements to J25 of the motorway and the surrounding highway network, notably the A358.