An application to redevelop Coal Orchard has provoked strong reaction from residents and businesses.

Here, chairman of ArtsTaunton, Kit Chapman MBE, writes about his concerns over the scheme and Cllr John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, responds...


'In danger of bottling a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform Taunton'

Somerset County Gazette: Kit Chapman. I GREW up in Taunton. I went to school in Taunton. I earn my living in Taunton. And, yes, I love my home town.

And yet, with the much-publicized and massive redevelopment of its central spaces, this great and historic place – the County Town of Somerset – is in danger of bottling out of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform itself into something truly special – into a capital town with a unique identity which will make its citizens proud and become a magnet for visitors far and wide.

Once, we were a famous market town. But our livestock market fled to Bridgwater some years ago, leaving that wasteland we call Firepool. Ever since, Taunton has been struggling to find its place in the world.

Meanwhile, cities like Exeter and our closest neighbour, Bridgwater, have made impressive advances. Advances in spite of the cruel recession our country has been through.

ArtsTaunton, the organisation I chair, has now attracted many hundreds of supporters. We all care deeply about our town’s future. We have campaigned hard to convince Taunton Deane Borough Council that investing in arts and culture will transform the town’s economic and social life.

We have demonstrated that putting the arts and culture at the centre of its redevelopment strategy would give our County Town that distinctive identity and sense of place it so badly needs to reclaim.

But although notionally the council supports the arts with modest, and gratefully received, grants to various organisations, this cash support is little more than lip service. Strategically, we see no hard evidence that the arts are embedded in council policy for the town’s long term regeneration.

The proposals for the redevelopment of Coal Orchard are a perfect example.

Hailed as Taunton’s “artisan quarter and cultural hub with a revitalised theatre and arts centre”, the reality of the Coal Orchard plan looks more like a dull mix of commercial premises with some residential.

The “revitalised” Brewhouse Theatre doesn’t even feature; the area around it ring fenced as a development for another day – shoved to the side as an afterthought!

If the council is serious about establishing a cultural quarter at Coal Orchard, it has to begin with the theatre and its outlook over the River Tone. The rest – shops, cafes, studios, etc – will then follow the theatre’s design and imprint. To do otherwise is sheer folly.

We see the new theatre and arts centre housed within an architecturally iconic building – a building of national significance and one which will be recognised as Taunton’s Jewel in the Crown.

A place that will become a Mecca for entertainment, leisure and culture. And a place worthy of Somerset’s County Town.

There are many examples of the transformative power of an investment in cultural infrastructure.

In Taunton itself, the Somerset County Cricket Ground has been developed into an international arena which will be hosting World Cup matches in 2019. The stunning transformation of the Museum of Somerset has seen visitor numbers grow tenfold after its multi-million pound makeover.

Further afield, towns like Gateshead and Margate have been transformed through the vision and determination of their local authorities.

Next year, Hull – after years of industrial decline – will be designated UK City of Culture.

Closer to home, indeed right here in Somerset, Frome and Bruton have become notable artistic and cultural destinations.

Look also at Snape Maltings, home to the Aldeburgh Festival, as a model for Coal Orchard. Its two acre complex of concert halls, galleries, exhibitions, shops, cafes and restaurants attracts 640,000 visitors a year!

But is Taunton Deane Borough Council listening to this mass of evidence? I fear not.

ArtsTaunton has offered its help and advice on both the developments at Firepool and Coal Orchard. We have the expertise and the knowledge. But no one at Deane House appears to be interested.

All we see is a council that is chronically risk averse and a leadership devoid of aspiration for Taunton’s future prosperity.

As to the mess and muddle of Firepool, and equally to the absurd proposals for Coal Orchard, we say this. Make the effort, harness the vision and arrive at the right decisions in the best long term interests of Taunton.

With the construction of Hinkley Point C and the prospect of a University of Somerset one day, the town needs to be future proofed.

Get the Firepool and Coal Orchard developments right now and they will stand for 100 years. Get them wrong and they, along with Taunton, will wither into insignificance within a couple of decades.

KIT CHAPMAN, MBE


Somerset County Gazette:

RELATED: Coal Orchard plan set to bring new 'bohemian' heart to Taunton


'We have to do our best for all sections of society'

Somerset County Gazette: Cllr John Williams I AM delighted to have the opportunity to champion not just Taunton, but the wider Taunton Deane.

We are responsible for an area that boasts stunning scenery, wonderful urban open spaces – Vivary and Wellington parks for instance – and facilities like modern swimming pools. We have a driving ambition to create a place for people, not merely a conurbation.

We have a duty to do our utmost for Taunton – but also for Wellington, Wiveliscombe and our rural areas that shape our identity as an ambitious Borough that looks to the future while being proud of our past.

Sadly, It’s impossible to comment in detail on Coal Orchard as the planning application is “live” and it would be very wrong to prejudge any outcome.

However, it’s worth making the point that this is an OUTLINE application and the detail will follow. We do see Coal Orchard as having a very special character that should be enhanced.

As our Taunton Rethink document states: “A new place on the river will be created at Coal Orchard. Coal Orchard will become a place with high quality cafes 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.”

This has not changed and the Brewhouse is protected. We have invested very heavily in the Brewhouse for many years – in excess of £750,000 over the last three years alone – and that support continues at a time when the public purse is under severe pressure.

We are in fact looking at the possibility of expanding the Brewhouse in line with the aspirations of Arts Taunton and are considering commissioning a detailed business case with the agreement of the Taunton Theatre Association to evaluate the financial requirements.

Our priority is to work closely with the TTA in order to achieve their aims for the future of the Brewhouse.

It’s also important to point out that we unequivocally support the cricket club and they have recognised the financial and other support we have given over the years. Indeed, we recently advanced a loan to the club to enable the crucial developments that now make it possible for Somerset CCC to host international matches. Credit where it’s due, please!

That alone will bring enormous benefits for the town and its economy.

We have also supported the Museum of Somerset by turning a rather run-down car park adjacent into a wonderful open space. It’s now up to people to make the best use of it.

The museum’s rebirth provided the trigger for us to create Castle Green – a prime example of how we can and will invest in Taunton’s arts and culture when we can grasp the opportunity.

Kit Chapman mentions Margate and Gateshead – both have benefited from vast amounts of Government money because they were perceived as being in need of huge investment. Given that level of support, we too could achieve our aspirations for Taunton far more quickly.

We have a responsibility to do our utmost for Taunton Deane as a whole – not just one section, one community or one interest group. Hence we needed to invest in leisure facilities that are available to all – the new pool at Blackbrook, for instance.

We are investing hugely in infrastructure – for example, the planned major flood alleviation scheme that will help protect Taunton for decades to come. It’s not glamorous – but it is vital.

We are investing in our community by helping the least fortunate through our partnership work in Halcon and Priorswood. Those initiatives may not be seen as crowd-pullers and pleasers but they are making a real difference to people’s lives.

We invest heavily in housing, again helping those who may not be able to buy a property but have an equal need for a home as those lucky enough who can afford a market-rate mortgage.

So, please Kit, remember that while we fully recognise the importance of the arts and culture and continue to champion the arts, we have to do our best for all sections of society to make Taunton Deane a decent place for all who live and work here.

CLLR JOHN WILLIAMS