Today it’s an overgrown disused railway but soon it could be part of Huntspill and Puriton’s bright new future. The former railhead at the old Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF37) site could become part of plans that will see a new enterprise zone built as part of a joint project driven by groups including Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council.

The councils say they are now planning the next steps in developing the Enterprise Zone status for Huntspill Energy Park that was given the green light in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Working with the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) and town, parish and county councils responsible for the multi-site bid, Sedgemoor say the project will generate thousands more jobs to the area.

In a statement Sedgemoor said: “The focus in the next few weeks for the Puriton site will be on ensuring that everything is in place to assist with the re-development of the former Royal Ordnance Factory, now owned by BAE Systems, including the necessary infrastructure improvements, planning processes and prospectuses.”

Plans for the old site include businesses and factories with new roads linking it to the A39 near Dunball bypassing Puriton. The disused railway could also be utilised by developers joining up with the mainline north of the site.

Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Duncan McGinty said that his Council was delighted with the opportunity the Enterprise Zone presented as it was key to its aim of becoming a centre for low carbon energy related businesses and expertise. He said: “Building on our manufacturing past, our innovation and our close association with Hinkley Point over the decades, this status as an Enterprise Zone will give us the boost we need to capitalise on our clear ability to respond to this Country’s energy needs now and in the future.”