A PLANNING application linked to the proposal for a supermarket in Williton has been resubmitted.

In December, developer David Gliddon of J.Gliddons & Sons Ltd, saw two linked proposals for a supermarket and car park, and a second proposal for a new roundabout, retail space and pedestrian access turned down by West Somerset Council's planning committee.

However this time around Mr Gliddon has resubmitted just the plans for the roundabout, retail shops and pedestrian access from Fore Street, which council officers previously said the planning committee could not reasonably reject for 'planning reasons'.

Mr Gliddon has submitted a comprehensive letter to accompany the application which he says highlights what this development will bring to the town.

"It really is a very small application and one that should be non-controversial. We are very optimistic it will go ahead but you never know with planning," Mr Gliddon said.

"It will add to the town centre's retail options and we have lost a number of shops in recent years.

"It will also bring much-needed jobs as we have lost 176 jobs at Watchet Paper Mill and it looks like we may lose more at the school in Minehead in the near future. This application will provide 22 new full time jobs which is some good news for the area," he added.

Asked whether the application would affect plans for a supermarket at a later date Mr Gliddon said: "We will have to see what happens. I am sure in this application the councillors will listen to the advice of their officers."

However Keep Williton Special campaign group, which have fought against plans for a supermarket in Williton for a number of years, are concerned this project will lead the only bank left in the town to close.

Keep Williton Special spokesperson Alan Stiven said: "I believe most people in the village would not want to risk losing Lloyds Bank.

"To construct the linked pathway from Fore Street and would partially go through the current bank location and it is not clear whether this would leave enough room for the bank to operate.

"My concern would be that if we lost our only bank many of our elderly residents would struggle. Many elderly people aren’t comfortable using online banking and if it did close they would need to travel to Taunton to use Lloyds or use on of the banks in Minehead."

Williton Parish Council has maintained its position objecting to the application on the grounds that it would prevent plans for an Inner Relief Road, concern about the roundabout causing traffic gridlock and the loss of Lloyds Bank.