Plans to repurpose former Taunton Police Station garage

Planning permission from the Somerset Council has been sought for the change of use of the vehicle garages associated with the former Taunton Police Station to mixed-use.

This includes using the space at Burton Place, Taunton, as a car workshop, storage, and for light industrial uses.

The documentation states that the change will bring the site back into active use and has associated economic benefits of job creation in the local area.

It also states that the site is situated in a sustainable and accessible location.

It said: "The change of use will make effective and efficient use of previously developed land in a sustainable location and will improve the economic conditions of the local area through job creation."

According to the planning statement, the application site is located to the south of Taunton Town Centre and comprises the former Taunton Police Station’s vehicle garages.

These are located in a courtyard parking area and are known as Block F of the wider police station site.

The application site was previously occupied by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary as the town’s main police station and was used as a workshop and for storage of police vehicles.

This had been its long-established use until the police vacated the site between the years 2018 and 2022.

The documentation states that vehicular and pedestrian access into the site is provided from Burton Place.

To the north of the site are further buildings which formed part of the previous police station, including the Grade II listed former jail (gaol) building.

The documentation states that eight parking spaces are provided directly in front of the building, with an additional parking area for cars and bikes provided to the western side of the building.

The building is currently occupied by two vehicle repair workshops, an engine coding solutions company, and for storage use.

The application seeks to regularise this use.

As part of the repurposing of the building, which is currently divided into five units, four of which have sliding doors, no physical changes are proposed.

In summary, the planning statement said: "The proposed change of use will not have any adverse impact upon the site or the surrounding area having regard to the lawful use of the site and that the proposal does not include any material physical alterations."

In response to this application, some residents have voiced their concerns about a possible increase in vehicular traffic through Burton Place, if it is approved.

Elevations of the planning site. (Image: Somerset Council Planning Portal)

Location of the planning site. (Image: Somerset Council Planning Portal)

John Jones said: "At the entrance to this site from Burton Place, the street is dangerously narrow and any requirement for access from Burton Place is difficult for large vehicles.

"So perhaps attention can be directed to addressing a potential increase at what is a 'choke point' on a small roadway in a residential area."

Another said they worry about the noise and brightness that could issue from the site and disrupt residents in the area, alongside any associated works.

Malanie Lawson said: "The engines, garage radio and general work produce significant noise, and the lighting is bright, especially at night through the bedroom windows.

"Work in the evening and at weekends needs to be kept within sociable working hours 8am-6pm.

"Not Sundays or bank holidays."

Layout of the planning site. (Image: Somerset Council Planning Portal)

Taunton Town Council is in support of this planning application along with Planning West.

A spokesperson for Planning West said: "The proposal to change the use of garages at Burton Place to a mixed-use employment scheme is supported from an economic development standpoint.

"The scheme delivers tangible local economic benefits through job creation, supports small business activity, and makes effective use of existing built assets.

"No objection is raised on economic development grounds, subject to the imposition of suitable planning conditions to ensure the use remains small-scale and compatible with neighbouring uses."

To view or comment on it, the application number is 38/26/0146.