Taunton councillor issues warning over sale of car park

Somerset Council agreed as part of its annual budget (set in February) to sell off large amounts of underutilised land, property and other assets in order to balance its books.

The government has allowed the council to use the proceeds from these sales to fund day-to-day services (under a ‘capitalisation directive’), with £36.9m of receipts being built into the 2024/25 budget.

One of the proposals involves selling off the High Street car park in Taunton (also known as the Mary Street car park), with the existing structure being demolished and then redeveloped into housing.

The proposals were criticised in October by Councillor John Hunt, the independent division member for Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West, who argued they would hurt the town’s “already fragile” economy.

Councillor Caroline Ellis – who represents the same division – has further urged a rethink, claiming that its closure will lead to wider social isolation and damage Taunton’s cultural scene.

Ms Ellis (a member of the ruling Liberal Democrats) raised the issue when the council’s executive committee met in Taunton on Monday morning (November 4).

She said: “More than 1,600 residents have signed a petition demanding that the council retain the High Street car park as a car park, rather than sell it to a developer for housing.

“They are deeply concerned at the social and economic impact of the potential loss of this car park – on the viability of key arts and social venues and on businesses in the vicinity, on places of worship, attendance at vital community events, and on older and disabled people’s access to vital services and amenities in the area.

“They would like the council to come to a fuller understanding and appreciation of the role this car park (which is the only one in the area with evening parking) plays in the community, the myriad social and community services in the vicinity whose service users rely upon it and the impact on women and disabled people of removing a safe and accessible night time parking option.”

Ms Ellis previously served as portfolio holder for culture on Somerset West and Taunton Council, being a tireless champion of the Brewhouse Theatre and boosting Taunton’s artistic and cultural scene.

Councillor Caroline Ellis (Liberal Democrat, Bishop's Hull And Taunton West) At The Executive Committee On November 4.She added: “People will not simply say ‘oh well, let’s park further away’ – many will literally not be able to.

“Instead they will stay at home, lose access to friends and activities, feel isolated, and businesses will lose vital custom.

“To date, I note that no mitigation has been proposed to address the loss of 12 disabled parking bays or the complete lack of parking in this key area after 7pm.”

Ms Ellis urged the executive to pause the sale of the car park to carry out a more detailed assessment of its potential removal, and to explore alternative uses for the site.

She said: “Have you considered alternatives to selling the land to a developer for housing which would nonetheless provide a route to helping to close the budget gap?

“Such alternatives could include potential disposal to Taunton Town Council to continue to run as a public car park, or retaining the car park’s lower storeys and building housing above.”

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said that the council had been transparent about the need to sell the car park and no final decision on its replacement had been taken.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Portfolio Holder For Economic Development, Planning And Assets. Mr Rigby – who represents the Lydeard division just outside Taunton – said: “We understand the level of concerns about the loss of the car park.

“We’ve established a financial strategy which includes a target for the sale of non-operational assets, and have concluded that alternative sites can accommodate both the daytime and evening demand.

“This was one of 22 sites brought before the relevant scrutiny committee and the executive, so there was transparency. Taunton Town Council was also notified of these proposals.”

Mr Rigby added that the council was legally bound to get the best value for taxpayers when it came to the sale or disposal of public land, buildings or other assets.

Under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, councils must obtain “best consideration” for their constituents – which includes the best financial price for a given asset, though social value (i.e. how much an asset benefits a community) can also be taken into account.

The “best consideration” rule is designed to prevent unscrupulous councillors or offers from selling off public assets at below the fair market rate to developers who could then redevelop the site at a higher profit.

The council has recently wrestled with this rule over the future of the Saxonvale site in Frome – with the executive originally selecting to take the Acorn Property Group’s vision for the site forward in late-July, only for the developer to drop out 24 hours later.

Mr Rigby said: “With regards to the opportunity to dispose of the car park to the town, we have an obligation to dispose of our assets with best consideration.

“Transferring the car park to the town council is an option and they would always be welcome to submit an offer, but redevelopment of the site would also bring investment into the town.

“We will continue to provide updates for all stakeholders as this matter progresses.”