The redevelopment of a former factory in Midsomer Norton, with up to 200 homes, a hotel and shops, has been allowed on appeal, after the two sides used the opportunity to negotiate final terms.

Bath and North East Somerset Council had refused permission to clear the old Welton Bibby and Baron factory site in Station Road, but the applicant, Midsomer Norton Retail Estates, appealed the decision, and planning inspector, David Prentis, ruled in its favour.

The Council said the plans were ‘vague’ and ‘ambiguous’, and argued it was “not appropriate to determine planning applications on the basis of pure speculation.”

In discussions with Midsomer Norton Retail Estates during the inquiry, the authority agreed on a planning condition that will “define more closely” how the land is used.

The condition says there may be at least 1,000 square metres of office space, a care home, shops, a pub, a takeaway, a hotel and community facilities. However, in his appeal decision, David Prentis said there is not enough space on the site for all of these uses, so the developer will have a degree of choice about which are included.

In refusing planning permission, B&NES Council also said the applicant had not shown that delivering the required thirty per cent affordable homes would be unviable. Midsomer Norton Retail Estates committed at the appeal to deliver the affordable homes, so B&NES Council agreed the development should be given the go-ahead.

The Planning Inspector also said that a late change of heart was ‘unreasonable’, and ordered Midsomer Norton Retail Estates to pay some of B&NES Council’s costs.

The development will see the former brewery buildings on Station Road retained and reused, but the ‘predominantly utilitarian’ 20th Century structures will be demolished. David Prentis said their replacement with well-designed new buildings has the potential to improve the site.

Town and Ward Councillors spoke at the inquiry, which was expected to last four days but held over just one-and-a-half days, to emphasise the importance to the community of bringing the brownfield site back into use, with employment as well as housing to meet the needs of local people.

Speaking to The Journal, Cllr Barry Macrae, (Midsomer Norton North), who has long had an interest in this site being used for both employment and leisure use, said: “It is regretful that it took sitting in front of a Planning Inspector for both sides to agree, but now let’s get on with it.

“I am very concerned that Midsomer Norton is coming last in terms of looking at out-commuting and employment. We desperately need skill-led opportunities at this site, which was once employment-led. It is our responsibility to the community to keep it this way.

“This site is too important. It is about the quality of life for existing locals, who spend their time commuting to and shopping in Bath and Bristol. We desperately need to bring this back to Midsomer Norton.

“It should be looked at creatively, rather than providing our usual housing units. What do people really need in this area?

“I welcome this breakthrough, and hope that we can now all move forward together.”

Midsomer Norton Retail Estates has been approached for comment about timescales on the development, now that the Appeal decision has been issued.