Plans for new passenger lounge at Taunton railway station

Every week, hundreds of planning applications are submitted to Somerset Council for determination – and we have selected some of the most interesting proposals.

Most plans will be decided by council planning officers, using their legally delegated powers, but some of the most significant or contentious will go before one of the council’s five planning committees.

Planning committees are made up of elected councillors, but the decisions they make should be decided based on the council’s planning policies, not local politics.

Taunton railway station, Station Approach, Taunton

Taunton railway station has seen a number of significant improvements made in the last few years, including a revamp of its southern entrance and the construction of a new multi-storey car park off the A3087 Trenchard Way.

Part of the building along the southern platform was occupied by the Dashi café until it closed in July 2022, blaming a drop-off in footfall during and after the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centenary Lounge Ltd. has now applied to convert the grade two listed building into a new passenger lounge.

The lounge will serve a range of hot and cold food and drinks, possibly including paninis and afternoon tea.

While the external appearance of the building will not change, the interior will be completely revamped with numerous nods to the station’s heritage and its  role as part of the Great Western Railway (GWR).

Planning reference number: 38/24/0191/LB

French Weir Park, Taunton

The Centre for Outdoor Activity & Community Hub (COACH) is based in French Weir Park in Taunton, on the banks of the River Tone near the entrance to Longrun Meadow.

The centre, which is run by a registered charity, provides a range of outdoor activities centred around young people and the local community, including canoeing, rowing and cycling.

The charity has applied to build an extension to the current hub, which will allow it to provide better training sessions for groups, including people with physical and other disabilities.

Planning reference number: 38/24/0078

Cheddon Fitzpaine Road, Gotton

The small hamlet of Gotton lies between Taunton and the Quantock Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB), a short distance from Hestercombe House.

Dillon Keyte has applied to build seven new homes on the northern side of Cheddon Fitzpaine Road, opposite the existing detached properties.

A total of 17 car parking spaces will be provided on site, with the prospect of all seven plots being offered for self-build projects.

Planning reference number: 48/24/0027

Southgate Road, Wincanton

Wincanton’s Morrisons supermarket on Southgate Road currently includes a car wash near its petrol station, located between the town centre and the A303.

The Motor Fuel Group has applied to demolish the car wash and install a further eight electric vehicle charging points, along with air, water and vacuum machines.

The company contends this facility is necessary to support the transition to electric vehicles, with the government expecting around 300,000 charging points to be available across the UK by 2030.

Planning reference number: 24/01243/FUL

Draycott Road, Cheddar

Cheddar Football Club (whose players as known as the Cheesemen) plays its home games at their stadium on Draycott Road, on the southern approach to the village.

The club, which has played at this location since the 1950s, has applied to upgrade its floodlights, bringing them up to the standards required by the Toolstation League.

The new LED floodlights will be erected on eight 15-metre-high columns, replacing the existing halide facilities which are reaching the end of their service life.

Planning reference number: 17/24/00029

To comment on any of these applications (and others), visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/view-and-comment-on-a-planning-application.