Aldi is taking a significant step towards revitalising a long-abandoned industrial site in the heart of Midsomer Norton, Somerset. The former Welton Bibby & Baron paper bag factory, a once-thriving local employer that has remained derelict for over a decade, could soon be transformed into a mixed-use development featuring a budget supermarket, housing, and a nursing home.
The supermarket chain has submitted a pre-application to Bath and North East Somerset Council for the redevelopment of this large brownfield site. If approved, a full planning application is expected to follow, outlining the detailed proposals for the site’s regeneration.
Independent local councillor Shaun Hughes, representing Midsomer Norton North, said: “Although the plans are still in their early stages, this pre-application marks a positive move for Midsomer Norton. I am eager to see the proposals develop into a full planning application and ultimately bring new life to this important site.”
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Councillor Hughes highlighted the challenges involved in redeveloping the site, acknowledging its prolonged vacancy of more than ten years and the complexities associated with repurposing former industrial land. “Welton Bibby & Baron has been a long-standing issue for the town, and progressing a viable scheme for this location is a crucial step forward,” he added.
The site was recently identified in the 2023 Local Plan as a prime location for a supermarket, reinforcing the vision to regenerate Midsomer Norton’s high street and attract fresh investment to the community.
Residents and local leaders alike have viewed the empty factory site as a blight on the town, once describing it as a “festering boil.” Previous efforts to clear the area for development had stalled, but Aldi’s proposed plans offer renewed hope for an important community asset’s revitalisation.