Screwfix opening new store in Minehead after plans approved

The hardware and tools specialist company has more than 900 stores across the UK, Ireland and France, with its headquarters on Mead Avenue near Yeovil Town Football Club's stadium.

The company applied in late-October to redevelop a vacant industrial unit within the Vennlands Business Park in the centre of Minehead, with the intention to create up to 12 local jobs.

Somerset Council has now given these plans the thumbs up, meaning the unit could be up and running for both residential and trade customers some time in the new year.

The site lies near the junction of Mart Road and Vulcan Road, just down the road from the town's household waste recycling centre.

Access will be from Mart Road, with three parking spaces being provided at the front of the store.

Charlotte Mills, senior planner at Hybrid Planning (representing the applicant) said: "Screwfix Direct Ltd. would make a positive contribution to the commercial and community life of the area, providing essential trade counter services to local businesses including plumbers, electricians, builders and facilities departments to large organisations."

The plans were approved by the council's planning officers through their delegated powers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee west (which handles major applications within the former Somerset West and Taunton area).

Planning officer Gemma Webster said: "The West Somerset Local Plan states that development proposals at Minehead must support and strengthen the settlement’s role as the main service and employment centre in west Somerset.

"New development, redevelopment and conversion proposals for all types of employment generating activities will be encouraged.

Planned site of new Screwfix store on Mart Road in Minehead (Image: Google Maps)

"Where possible, such proposals should make use of existing employment sites, or of sites with similar and compatible uses where the development proposed would not have an adverse impact on the amenity of existing neighbouring uses.

"The surrounding area is a mix of industrial and commercial units. The unit is currently vacant, and the proposal would provide an additional 12 new jobs within a sustainable location.

"There would be no increase in floor area from the existing and minimal alterations to the external appearance of the building ensuring that it does not impact the character of the vicinity."

Construction work on the new outlet is expected to begin after Christmas, with an opening date to be confirmed shortly thereafter.