ArtsTaunton said Brewhouse should be redeveloped before rest of Coal Orchard, in Taunton

An outline planning application for shops, homes, work space and restaurants and cafés at Coal Orchard “betray a shocking poverty of aspiration”, according to ArtsTaunton.

Taunton Deane Borough Council wants to rip up the car park and bulldoze the disused St James Pool to create “a place with high quality cafés and restaurants overlooking the water and an artisan quarter and cultural hub with a revitalised theatre and arts centre, artists’ studios, galleries and independent shops”.

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Space will be left in front of the Brewhouse for potential future expansion.

But following a meeting called by ArtsTaunton at the Castle Hotel last Thursday, the organisation’s chairman Kit Chapman has written to Deane planners protesting at the proposals.

Mr Chapman feels the Brewhouse should be developed first as an iconic “jewel in the crown”.

He said: “These proposals offer a piecemeal redevelopment, putting the ‘cart before the horse’.

“The redevelopment must be coherent and proclaim Taunton’s vision of establishing a cultural quarter, itself a major driving force in the town’s economic and social regeneration.

“The design of Coal Orchard should be governed by the imprint and design of the new arts centre – these must be established before anything else.

“The Brewhouse and the River Tone’s waterfront are the landmarks that will attract people to Coal Orchard and the design must serve them.

“We regret that the current proposals betray a shocking poverty of aspiration for a town poised on a massive redevelopment of its centre.

“This prospect offers Taunton a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform itself into a county town that ‘thinks like a city’.”

Mr Chapman also criticised a large three-storey building proposed next to the Brewhouse, claiming it would restrict the options to develop the Brewhouse, while he would like to see the car park removed altogether and turned into a piazza for leisure, display and entertainment rather than simply reduced in size.

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Deane deputy leader Cllr Mark Edwards said the council will continue to support the arts and culture against a backdrop of having to “stretch every pound” to support the community as a whole.

“It’s important that people express their views on how Taunton is shaped – that’s why we consulted well before an application was submitted,” added Mr Edwards, who welcomed positive comments at the meeting about the council’s approach to regenerating Taunton from Somerset County Cricket Club.

“That helped us shape the proposals that will be considered in due course.”

Mr Edwards said the council is unable to comment specifically at this stage on the Coal Orchard planning application, adding that “careful consultation” has taken place and there is further opportunity for people to submit their comments.