PEOPLE are being asked what they would like to see on a derelict former cattle market site in Taunton.

They are being asked to give their views in a survey after proposals for a supermarket and car park, other shop units, homes and offices were thrown out by planners on Taunton Deane Borough Council, which owns the land.

The plans for Firepool, submitted by the Deane's development partner St Modwen, were last month rejected as inappropriate.

Cllr Habib Farbahi, of the LibDem opposition, said: "It was a pity that the current administration couldn't come up with something more imaginative in the light of the importance of this site.

"This is a real opportunity to get the people of Taunton to say what they want to see in this area.

"It could be a stylish, modern mixed use residential, commercial and leisure centre for the area, which would attract people from Taunton and further afield."

Mr Farbahi is asking people to complete the survey online - to do so go to this story at countygazette.co.uk - and will be in Taunton town centre on forthcoming Saturdays to distribute paper copies.

He added: “We hope the people of Taunton will come up with some imaginative ideas which we will then put to the planners to make a fresh start.

“With the latest news, indicating the likelihood that Hinckley Point C will go ahead, and that Waitrose is unlikely now to put a new supermarket on the site, this gives us the best chance in a long time in to think again and develop the Firepool site into a true Gateway to Taunton.”

Waitrose had been in talks with the Deane over the possibility of building a store at Firepool, although it never actually signed a contract.

But it now appears less likely after managing director Rob Collins announced the upmarket grocer has scaled back plans for new stores, scrapping seven supermarkets planned in the next two years following a drop in profits.