A NEW new Co-op store will be built at the former Morlands Industrial Park site which has lain empty for three years.

Sedgemoor District Council approved plans to build the 210 square metre branch in July, making it the second Co-op store to open in Highbridge.

The new supermarket will be built on the site on the corner of Morland Road and Burnham Road, which has been unoccupied since Morland Industrial Park closed in October 2014.

Mike Murphy, chairman of Highbridge Chamber of Trade, has welcomed the plans and said he is hopeful the new store will reignite the social lives of local residents.

“With so many social and first time houses, a new convenience store is very welcome in Highbridge.

“With the demise of the corner shop and growth of the supermarket, a lot of people’s social lives have sadly faded away.

“This is great news.

“It will mean neighbours will have a place to meet each other and their social lives will develop as a result.”

The Co-op said they will build 15 car parking spaces including two disabled parking bays and cycle spaces at the new store as well as installing a new cashpoint.

The supermarket chain opened a store on the site of the Berrow Inn pub on Berrow Road in April, which has seen a positive response from residents.

But Cllr John Parkes, from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, has concerns about impact the store’s location could have on traffic.

He said: “The store is located adjacent to a busy junction near to Churchfields School so road safety, especially for children attending the school, will be of paramount importance.

“Access for local people to shopping facilities especially where it is convenient as in this case is to be welcomed.

“I’m sure that like the Berrow mini-supermarket this will also do well.

“It will particularly serve residents on the Morlands Estate including those who live in the relatively new housing development now occupying the ex Morlands Industrial site on its doorstep.”

A spokesman for the Co-op has not confirmed when building work will start on the site but it is expected to open in the summer of 2018.