PLANNERS were due to decide next week whether to approve an application for a multi-million pound riverside development that has split opinion.

If approved, shops, restaurants, 42 homes and offices would be built on and around Coal Orchard car park, in Taunton.

The application will go before the planning committee on Wednesday (September 12).

Landowner Taunton Deane Borough Council already has outline permission for the scheme, which includes the demolition of the disused St James Pool.

Councillors on the authority's planning committee were recommended by officers to approve the full plans at last night's meeting in the face of widespread public opposition.

The development would be constructed in four blocks:

*Block A: shops and business use on the ground floor with 12 flats on the first and second floors;

*Block C: single storey shops and businesses;

*Block D: ground level restaurant with further restaurant space on the first floor and two apartments spanning the first and second floors;

*Block E: two ground floor restaurants and eight apartments over the first and second floors;

*Block B proposals have been deleted.

There would also be a river front plaza alongside Blocks D and E incorporating a stepped terrace down to the river, with 42 parking spaces, down from the current 120, by Blocks A - which would be more traditional to reflect St James Street and the conservation area - and E.

The meeting received a 1,138-signature petition calling on the council to withdraw the application, claiming it ignores the Deane's policy of providing a cultural quarter with independent shops, offices, workshops, artists' studios and galleries.

Other objections on the petition include "unacceptable" reduction in parking spaces; "inadequate" servicing; "out of scale" buildings "out of character with the area".

Issues raised among 38 objections include loss of open space along the river; views of St James Church tower and Tone bridge would be blocked; the Brewhouse Theatre would be "overpowered"; "unacceptable" loss of the pool frontage; lack of need for more shops; and reduced parking impact on the Brewhouse, St James Church and the medical practice.

A letter of support said the scheme would "utilise and enliven a great waterfront site" and "create a real asset".

Taunton Area Cycling Campaign supports a cycle route running between the riverside paths and St James Street, although members want visibility issues addressed where the route joins St James Street.

An officer's report to councillors said: "The scheme is considered to safeguard the character and appearance of the conservation area and while it will impact on the setting of the Old Brewery House, this impact is not considered substantial and the benefits of the redevelopment of the area in terms of townscape and employment is considered to outweigh the limited harm.

"The parking provision retained on the site is considered suitable to serve the development and adjacent uses subject to suitable management of the car park."