THE construction firm behind a multi-million pound development off Taunton town centre has proposed change to the accepted plans.

Work is already underway on the council-owned Coal Orchard site to build homes, shops, flats, restaurants, offices and a gym.

Mace has now applied to Somerset West and Taunton Council for some alterations to the planning consent already granted.

The main changes, which will save money, are:

*the removal of a commercial unit and two apartments over it, which the company claims "opens up the block and responds to the urban grain of the existing blocks".

*the relocation of the sub-station within the ground floor footprint and retained on the same elevation;

*the removal of inset balconies, replaced with juliet balconies, which the company says increases the internal floor of the apartments;

*rationalisation of windows in certain areas.

A Mace spokesman said: "We believe the amendments are of a minor nature and are not that significant to that already approved."