Midsomer Norton Town Council will be asked to support a multi-million pound vision for Midsomer Norton South Station, on Silver Street, which has undergone feedback changes to its application before being resubmitted to B&NES. Support at Town Council level, as well as from the local authority (B&NES Council), will be crucial in securing essential grants to help the site develop in future, say planners.

Joseph Marchant, Director of Context Logic Ltd, which has created the plans on behalf of The Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, told The Journal that the changes have been made following feedback on last Autumn’s application. He expects B&NES’ planners to be discussing the application by June/July this year.

He said: “The Trust has made changes to the proposal because B&NES Council, the Local Planning Authority, were looking for removal of items that may be deemed beyond what a museum may require, which may cause some competition for the High Street.

“Whilst we have never sought to compete with the High Street and had always imagined quite a different type of venue and retailing associated with the museum, we needed to moderate the scheme.

“We have, therefore, removed some of the retail elements and focused on a Heritage Centre, which will provide space associated with the upkeep and development of the Station. It will focus on heritage activities and will enable the public to watch and perhaps be engaged in trades, such as ironmongery, carpentry and stonework.

“The Trust still proposes an events space to be located in the existing old maintenance shed; this space is proposed to have ancillary retail and refreshments. The Trust still proposes two tourism units (instead of three), the retention of the museum, an education and training room, a Trust Office, improved WC’s, a new locomotive and carriage maintenance shed and improvements to landscaping.

“Due to the policies allowing tourist accommodation, there is a reduced number of units. The Trust had proposed three units, now it proposes just two one bedroom units. These will be accommodated in an existing building. This is an important financial element of the proposals.

“The Trust remains upbeat and pleased with its proposals and has been happy to work with the Planning Authority and other parties who have sought to influence the scheme to ensure the right outcome for the Town.

“The Trust members are keen to encourage a managed investment that will be a positive benefit to the town as a whole, and they look forward to working with the town to improve connections between the station site and the rest of the town centre. The Trust is full of optimism.”