Back in March this year, Sainsbury's saw their planning application for a superstore at Westfield refused by B&NES' Planning Committee, mainly on the grounds that a store of this size selling non-food goods could severely affect trade in both Midsomer Norton and Radstock. Time seems to have now run out for the company to appeal this decision, and the potential for a supermarket at Westfield was an issue which saw strong debate in our letters pages.
While there is weekly talk of Radstock's potential for regeneration, there are now murmurings of when it will be Midsomer Norton's turn. Times are hard for our town centres and traders and the plan for a supermarket at South Road, some say, could be crucial in ensuring the vitality of Midsomer Norton.
B&NES have been heavily criticised by Sainsbury's Westfield supporters and accused of turning down the application to make way for the sale of the car park in South Road, with the money for this site going into their coffers, rather than invested back into Midsomer Norton. However, it is thought that should this supermarket go ahead, it could breathe £30 million of new private sector investment into the town after decades of under-investment.
Marketing of the South Road site began in May, with 42 initial expressions of interest, showing that the town is still seen as open for business and a place worth investing in. The idea is this – if another supermarket is built in the centre of the town, opposite the existing Sainsbury's at The Hollies, then it will link up the High Street and encourage shoppers to stay, bringing more footfall to the town. In turn, this could deliver more jobs, more prospects and a brighter future.
Following the site marketing in May, there were five tender bids, shortlisted to three, who were interviewed by B&NES in July. The chosen preferred bidder is due to be announced very soon, possibly before the end of this month.
In the past, Midsomer Norton's car parks have been under threat of parking charges, a move which could have been very damaging to the town. The Town Council fear that this could happen in future and so the solution appears to be to secure three hours free parking at South Road under the terms of the 100-year lease, release capital for B&NES and then target the Section 106 monies from a supermarket development to kick-start a private, developer-led regeneration of the town.
The Chamber of Commerce have secured a promise that any supermarket would not sell more than 10% of non-food items, in order to stop the annihilation of small retailers who are an asset to the town, such as Casswells, which survived the original arrival and extension of Tesco.
What may come as a surprise to some, is that redeveloping South Road car park is not actually a new idea – it was proposed by B&NES' Regeneration Consultants back in 2009. It is something that has been discussed for a number of years and was included at every stage of the consultation in B&NES' Core Strategy. Since then, front page stories and consultations have informed residents, but for many who have heard it all before, they probably assumed that this would never happen. But this site should be different. B&NES need the money for this car park for their other major projects – so it will be sold and something will happen here.
Since the Councils split in 2011, it has not gone unnoticed that Midsomer Norton is on the up, due to the sheer hard work of the Town Council and local volunteers. The flower beds have blossomed, issues of litter and antisocial behaviour are being tackled and the Town Hall is back in regular use, with initiatives such as the Community Cinema. In fact, Midsomer Norton Town Council has almost shot itself in the foot – it is running so well, it is having to fight hard for investment.
In preparation for approval being granted for a supermarket at South Road, the Town Council are working to double the number of non-South Road-based, long-term car parking spaces in the town, which could be accommodated by projects like the new Town Park. They want Midsomer Norton to be a 'can do', positive place, that will attract investors and developers, secure its economy and ultimately, local jobs. Developer contributions could then be used to invest in other sites in the town and residents will be guaranteed three hours free parking, with, hopefully, the opportunity for longer-term parking in the new car parks.
There are certainly concerns about another supermarket coming to town and the problems that this could bring, such as heavy goods vehicles trying to get to and from the site and, of course, the affect it will have on neighbouring residents. The car park has had its problems of antisocial behaviour over the years – could this be eradicated with the arrival of a big retailer which has an underground car park?This issue will definitely cause discussion for months to come. But development is coming to the town, in some form, whether we like it or not – as the Welton, Bibby and Baron site also gears up for planning and the possibility of another supermarket there too, subject to approval.
So, back at South Road, we await the announcement of the preferred bidder, selected by B&NES, and there will then be the opportunity for residents to give their views, prior to a planning application being submitted.