ST. MODWEN TAKES A STEP CLOSER TO DEVELOPING THE FIRST PHASE OF PROPERTIES AT FIREPOOL
St. Modwen, the UK’s regeneration specialist, has today (Monday, 14 June 2010) submitted an outline planning application to Taunton Dean Borough Council for the first phase of commercial and residential development at the £270 million Firepool regeneration scheme in Taunton.
The application will involve transforming the 4.5 acre Priory Bridge Road car park, located alongside the River Tone corridor, into 110,000 sq ft of contemporary office space, together with new high quality apartments overlooking the river. On completion, the offices will accommodate more than 600 jobs locally.
The application follows a Public Consultation event hosted at the scheme’s newly refurbished Auction House last month (May 2010) and St. Modwen now expects a planning approval in September.
Pete Davies, Development Manager for St. Modwen, commented: “We received positive feedback on our proposals for the scheme and we are eager to drive forward development plans to deliver the first buildings on site.
“During the planning submission period, we will continue to progress our ongoing discussions with potential occupiers. The development proposals for high quality, modern accommodation in an attractive river location, adjacent to town centre and with excellent transport links will suit a variety of business occupiers.”
Firepool, located at the former livestock market at the heart of Taunton, is the first phase of Project Taunton*, a 123 acre town centre regeneration scheme. Delivered by St. Modwen in partnership with Taunton Deane Borough Council, Firepool comprises 16.5 acres of brownfield land which will be redeveloped on a phased basis over 12 years.
When complete, the development will include 500,000 sq ft of office space, leisure facilities such as cafes, restaurants and a foodstore, a hotel and over 400 homes. It is anticipated the project will create more than 4,000 jobs locally.
Ian Franklin, Project Director of Project Taunton, said: “This first phase at Firepool is a very important stage for Project Taunton and all the partners involved want to get it right which is why the public consultation was held and views carefully considered. People naturally want to know what’s going on and air their views, and it was encouraging to hear the feedback – overall it seems people are positive about the development of the former livestock market site and look forward to the jobs it will create. This isn’t a stand alone development. Firepool is one part of Taunton’s regeneration programme which is all about delivering high quality and sustainable growth and making sure Taunton is a fantastic place to live and work in the future.”
The plans, which mark the next major milestone in establishing Firepool as the new commercial heart of Taunton, follow on from a public realm planning application submitted by St. Modwen earlier this year to deliver enhancement works around the River Tone corridor, including a new river park on the existing car park site.
