TAUNTON's Corfield Hall has been approved for demolition, after an "urgent" application made by Taunton Heritage Trust.

Somerset Council has again approved plans to demolish the unlisted building on Magdalene Street, next to Taunton Minster, with a decision made on September 6.

The proposed three-storey building planned to replace it will have two floors of almshouse flats with a community room - charitable accommodation for "lower income, elderly residents in need" - and Taunton Heritage Trust offices on the ground floor.

Corfield Hall fell into "disrepair" after "several unsuccessful commercial retail uses". It was last used in 2018 as a children's soft play.

Listed Building Consent was given for its demolition, plus the erection of 11 almshouse accommodation flats in its place, on September 28, 2020. 

However, the corresponding planning application for the flats, registered in January 2020, must also be approved and a decision notice has yet to be issued.

This is due to planning conditions which require developers to prove "nutrient neutrality" where new dwellings are being constructed, ensuring nutrient pollution, such as phosphates, doesn't enter the watercourses.

Due to this "protracted planning process", the Listed Building Consent for the initial application has lapsed, with a new application submitted.

To continue the demolition work, developers have submitted the "urgent" plan for demolition-only permission ahead of the rebuild permission, to ensure the project "remains viable".

Corfield Hall, built in 1932 as a community centre, is unlisted. However, some of the walls around it are Grade II listed and the hall is in a conservation area.

Listed Building Consent is needed to carry out works to the Grade I listed St Mary Magdalene churchyard boundary wall and enable the redevelopment.

The application submitted by Jonathan Rhind Architects, reads: "The site falls within the St Mary's and St James conservation area and is adjacent to the listed boundary wall to the Grade I St Mary's Church.

"The site also lies over the course of the medieval town ditch which formed the town's defences."