INDUSTRIAL units destroyed in a large fire near Radstock last year could soon be rebuilt.

Two planning applications have been submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council to rebuild unit 8 and 8a at the Haydon Industrial Estate.

Thick plumes of smoke were visible for miles around when the fire broke out at Haydon Industrial Estate on March 21, 2025.

Fire crews from both Avon Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze, with multiple crews attending from around the area, including Radstock, Paulton and Bath.

Crews used high pressure hose reels, covering jets and a turntable ladder as a water tower to extinguish the flames, and a total of 24 breathing apparatuses.

All people on site were safely evacuated with one person taken to hospital.

The fire destroyed two industrial units housing a workshop spray painting articulated lorry cabs and an MOT centre. The paint spraying business has since reopened in Somerton.

Now, a year on, plans have been drawn up to rebuild the destroyed industrial units “like-for-like.”

The near identical planning applications for the reinstatement of Use Class B2 commercial units state: “The proposed building has been designed to replicate the footprint, scale, height and general appearance of the commercial unit that previously occupied the site prior to its destruction by fire in March 2025.

“The intention is therefore to reinstate the established built form within the industrial estate rather than introduce a new or materially different form of development.”

The debris left over by the fire will be removed from the site by a “specialist waste contractor,” in line with health and safety requirements.

The planning application for unit both units can be viewed on the B&NES planning portal with reference PP-14765909 and PP-14766092 at app.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning