Town Centre Brownfield Site Approved for Residential Development

A previously recognized builder’s yard situated in Bridgwater is slated for transformation into a residential complex. On Tuesday, local councillors approved planning permission during a meeting for the redevelopment project at Pollard’s, located on Monmouth Street. The plans include 33 new residences to be built on the rear yard area, alongside six new apartments within the primary front structure, in addition to a designated play space. Pollard’s concluded its operations in 2021, following over 160 years of business, leaving the premises mostly unoccupied since that time. During the meeting, two local residents voiced their support for the proposals. Ernie Turner informed the assembly that the abandoned yard had been utilized by prospective burglars earlier this year to gain entry to his adjacent property. Rob Harding possesses two residences on Polden Street that share a boundary with the aforementioned site. He stated that the proposed new dwellings would be more desirable than the previous industrial premises. “We used to get dust from the yard constantly on our clean washing and the noise meant we couldn’t enjoy our garden,” he said. “It’s a residential area so this will be a huge improvement for everybody nearby,” Mr Harding added. Peter Grubb, who is affiliated with Lighthouse Development Consulting and acted on behalf of the applicants, described the project as the “best possible solution” for the location. He informed the attendees that every home would be equipped with electric vehicle charging points, heat pumps, and rooftop solar panels. The residences will comprise a combination of two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. Louise Newcombe, a planning officer for Somerset Council, clarified to the meeting that the development would incorporate only one affordable home due to the site’s brownfield classification and the proposal’s aim to reactivate an empty structure. Every structure on the premises is scheduled for demolition, with the exception of an office block fronting Monmouth Street, which is designated to be converted into six apartments. A World War Two aircraft hangar, which is not listed and has served as a storage facility on the site, is slated for relocation to a nearby aviation museum. Bridgwater Town Council had raised objections to the proposals, asserting that the access point onto Monmouth Street required widening. It was noted at the meeting that the local highways authority did not have any objections, and the applicant indicated that traffic movements would decrease compared to when the site functioned as a builder’s yard. The planning committee of Somerset Council approved the plans, with nine members voting in favour and one abstention. For updates, follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.