CONTROVERSIAL plans for the eagerly-awaited development at Firepool in Taunton have been refused.

At a meeting of Taunton Deane Borough Council's planning committee, officers recommended the application for refusal - saying the design was "poor" - and councillors agreed, rejecting the scheme by nine votes to four.

The meeting was attended by a large number of residents, as well as representatives from the developers, the architects and retail giant Next.

As well as failing to meet a number of planning policies, the plans came under scrutiny for its designs which were labelled "poor", "disappointing" and accused of falling well below expectations.

Cllr Marcia Hill described the plans as a "Tarmac jungle".

She said: "When I heard that this was to be coming I got quite excited. What a disappointment.

"We all want to see this site developed, we are desperate.

"But surely we are not so desperate as to give this car park with a sorry shopping space?

"It is just going to be a Tarmac jungle and it is going to look like a retail park.

"We want something that is going to enhance our town council and that people are going to enjoy.

"I just really feel that with a little bit of thought and a better design, I don't see that we should put up with the cheapest design.

"I think we should get something of good quality and good design. I am disappointed."


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The scheme, which included plans for a cinema, supermarket, shops, waterfront bars and restaurants, homes and shoppers' parking, were deemed unacceptable in the officers' report.

The outline application failed to meet two planning policies, a planning officer said.

"It is not in accordance with policy FP1. It clearly fails to meet a number of those criteria," the planning officer said.

"On policy FP2, the development also does not meet this policy."


RELATED: Fears Firepool development could decimate Taunton town centre


The details on which the outline plans fell short included only having 300 out of the 400 residential units required, having 425 out of the 500 parking spaces, and a lack of a primary healthcare facility.

The details which the plans fail to meet FP2 included a lack of a bus and cycle route through the site.

There were also fears that the application would have a negative impact on the trade in the town centre.

The planning officer added: "The design and review panel does not support these proposals.

"We have suggested positive solutions for this... however the designer has not been able to come forward with any developments.

"We have a situation where design is poor and I don't think the development should be supported.

"We have concerns the development would compete with, not compliment the town centre."


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Another planning officer said: "I cannot see how you could possibly say that we have a scheme in front of us that complies.

"I am convinced this proposal falls way short of expectations.

"What we have got here is large units, surface parking and no services.

"It has the appearance of a retail park - single access and very inward looking.

"I am convinced... that this is not the only option. I think we can do much better than this and Taunton deserves much better than this."

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