A revamped coffee shop in Taunton, new homes near Highbridge and a climbing tower for scouts and guides are among the schemes people are trying to get planning permission for in Somerset.

Every week, hundreds of planning applications are submitted to Somerset Council for determination – and we have selected some of the most interesting proposals.

Most plans will be decided by council planning officers, using their legally delegated powers, but some of the most significant or contentious will go before one of the council’s five planning committees.

Planning committees are made up of elected councillors, but the decisions they make should be decided based on the council’s planning policies, not local politics.

Taunton railway station, Station Approach, Taunton

Starbucks currently operates a small coffee shop on the northernmost platform at Taunton railway station.

SSP (UK) Ltd. has applied to undertake a “minor refurbishment” of the outlet, replacing the furniture, fixtures and fittings.

The plans, if approved, will not result in any material changes to the wider station building, which is grade two listed.

Planning reference number: 38/24/0330/LB

2 High Street, Wellington

Shauls Bakery and Café was a fixture of Wellington town centre, operating at the corner of High Street and South Steet until it permanently closed its doors in October 2020, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Adebiyi Aderinoye has now acquired the premises and has applied to change the premises’ use to allow it to reopen as a restaurant.

Both its former owner and Wellington Town Council have expressed their support for the proposals – making it more likely that Somerset Council will make a speedy decision in the applicant’s favour.

Planning reference number: 43/24/0106

Huish Wood Scout Campsite, West Hatch

The Huish Wood Scout Campsite lies nestled in substantial woods just off the A358 a miles to the east of Taunton and the M5.

The site is run by volunteers for local scout and guide groups, and is hired out
for local schools on a regular basis.

Nadia Atherton has applied on behalf of these groups to erect a new climbing wall on the Beacon Field within the site, replacing a similarly sized facility which was condemned and removed in 2023.

Planning reference number: 47/24/0007

Sandys Hill Lane, Frome

Construction is currently proceeding on 198 homes within the Keyford Meadows site either side of Sandys Hill Lane on the southern edge of Frome.

As part of the outline permission for the development, which was secured in July 2020, new commercial units will be provided at the western edge of the site, near the existing Wessex Fields retail units.

TJ Morris Ltd. has now submitted revised proposed for the first of these new units near the Sainsbury’s supermarket – with strong indications from the planning documents that it may end up being occupied by Home Bargains.

Planning reference number: 2024/0350/REM

A38 Main Road, West Huntspill

Mr & Mrs Marratty applied in January to build eight homes on their land at 9 Main Road in West Huntspill, near Highbridge.

The development site lies almost halfway between the large Brue Farm housing development on the edge of Highbridge and a planned development for 45 homes at the junction of Main Road and New Road.

After the original plans were refused in March, the couple have now submitted revised proposals, reducing the planned number of homes to six.

 

Planning reference number: 52/24/00009

To comment on any of these applications (and others), visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/view-and-comment-on-a-planning-application.