The next stage of a plan by Bath & North East Somerset Council to transform the economic vitality of Midsomer Norton town centre.
An investigation of the site underground begins and will provide the information about its condition which is needed for a future planning application. An agent has also been appointed to work-up the marketing details for the site.
Councillor David Bellotti (Lib-Dem, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Community Resources, said, "We are very pleased to be taking the first steps toward releasing South Road Car Park as a supermarket. The feedback Bath & North East Somerset Council has received about this proposal has been extremely positive from the public, business community, and Town Council. There is a real opportunity connect the High Street and South Road more strongly, whilst encouraging more people into the town to do their weekly food shop.
"We have worked with our contractor to reduce the amount of time needed for the works from three weeks to one week."
Public safety is paramount during the works period. Therefore the small car park to the left hand side of the entrance into South Road will be closed off for 3 – 4 days. There will be a small drilling rig moved to different locations in the main car park which will remove around 6 spaces at a time.
The Council is doing its best to mitigate the impact on businesses. Alternative car parking will be available in a combination of locations at Welton Rovers, the Catholic Church, M&Co, Argos, and the Leisure Centre – this totals around 100 spaces.
It is anticipated that the work will finish on 26 April, subject to the weather. All work will take place between 8am - 5pm. There will be some low level noise.
What is the proposal?
The car park will be sold for the purpose of a brand new 45,000 square foot supermarket. For comparison purposes the existing Sainsbury's at The Hollies is 17,000 square feet. As part of the planning process, the Council will require additional parking spaces above the supermarket operator's own needs.
It is hoped that subject to planning permission being granted, the development of the new store could commence in Autumn 2014 and sometime 2016 the store could become operational.
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