SPECULATION is rife that Waitrose could be opening a store in Taunton.

It is believed that the food store could be interested in setting up on the currently derelict Firepool site.

A supermarket is among the buildings forming part of a planning application for a £105million development on the site of the former Taunton Livestock Market, which has remained empty for several years.

The project would also include waterfront restaurants, a cinema, hotel, shops and homes.

The submission by regeneration specialists St Modwen follows a public consultation on September 11 and 12 and continued consultations with statutory bodies including the various council departments and the Environment Agency.

Pete Davies, senior development manager for St Modwen, said: “Following a successful pre-application consultation process, we are excited to have reached this latest stage in delivering the mixed-use regeneration scheme at Firepool.

"We hope to secure planning consent in the New Year which will enable development delivery preparations to move forward positively through 2016.

 

“The application includes plans to deliver a vibrant mix of uses which include restaurants on the waterfront, cinema, hotel, supermarket and high quality retail units, offices and new homes.

"This will be a key milestone in the delivery of Firepool, which is already under development on the south side of the river, with 49 new riverside homes currently being built and set to complete in summer 2016 alongside Pip’s Park and Viridor’s 27,000 sq ft office HQ building.

“Firepool is a vital link in the chain of Taunton’s wider regeneration plans and one of the biggest mixed-use schemes in the region, with the potential to create in excess of 1,800 jobs.”

The application documents will be available to view on Taunton Deane Council’s website and at their offices to enable members of the public to make further comments to the planning department.

Watch this space - we'll keep you informed of any developments.