Plans for flats on former gasworks in Taunton approved

Galliford Try Partnership put forward plans to regenerate the derelict site, which lies between Tangier Way and Castle Street near the River Tone.

Members of Taunton Deane Borough Council’s planning committee raised concerns on Wednesday evening (December 5) about the viability of the scheme, the level of local employment and the impact on residents living further downstream.

But councillors ultimately decided that the scheme should proceed, with construction likely to begin early in the new year.

The developer originally intended to build 182 dwellings on the site, but this was reduced after officers requested the tallest apartment block be reduced from eight to seven storeys in height.

Alastair McDonald from Boyer Planning Consultants (which is representing the developer) confirmed the total number of dwellings now being offered was 176 – not 178, as the council had indicated in its committee report.

He added the developer would begin work early in the new year if permission was granted.

He said: “A great deal of time and effort has been put into the application as it stands today.

“We have provided a full viability assessment for the project which has been independently verified. There are significant viability issues, but my client is committed to developing this site.”

Councillor Jefferson Horsley said he was worried about flood prevention on the site, citing his experience with the North Town Flood Action Group.

He said: “I do not accept that the current level of mitigation against flooding is going to be met until the upstream relief work is in place.

“This will not be sufficiently mitigated by Longrun Meadow. It will not suffice to defend terraced housing on Clarence Street and Portland Street”.

The council has been working with the Somerset Rivers Authority on a flood prevention strategy for Taunton, which includes improving flood defence walls within the town itself and storing more water upstream.

Councillor Marcia Hill was more complimentary of the application – but bemoaned the lack of affordable housing within the proposals.

She said: “It’s nice to see an application coming for this site. Having said that, I agree it is a disappointment that we are seeing this many dwellings with no affordable housing.

“I like the design of the flats, and that there’s a lot of balconies, since that’s the only outside spaces that people will get.

“I hope we don’t have to come back with design changes – if it’s built like the design shows, I will be happy.”

The council had requested that 25 per cent of the properties should be avoidable, in line with its Local Plan, but this was deemed to be unfeasible given the difficulty of developing the site.

Tim Burton, the council’s assistant director of planning and the environment, said: “I don’t think there’s any games being played here re viability – it certainly won’t deliver affordable housing in the current market.”

Councillor Ian Morrell criticised the design of the development, and said more local employment needed to be provided.

He said: “I do appreciate that this is a very difficult site, and for viability to stack up it requires density. But I prefer quality over quantity.

“What I don’t see is new employment for people working here in the town centre. Yet again this authority has failed to provide new employment – what will these people be doing?”

Mr Morrell led a task and finish group on the council which called on a full review of all employment sites in the district which had not been brought forward since 2009.

Councillor Jean Adkins disagreed, stating: “I don’t know that this council needs to take steps to supply employment.

“Surely just by having these properties there, the people who live there will actually stimulate the economy of the town centre and jobs will therefore come out of it?

“This can only help to ensure that the town centre doesn’t keel over and die.”

After around an hour of deliberation, councillors voted to approve the plans.