A local resident has voiced criticism of Somerset Council over the slow progress in maintaining the Firepool regeneration site in Taunton.
Recently, work was completed on the boulevard within the Firepool development, a project funded by central government grants. This boulevard provides a pedestrian-friendly, car-free route linking Taunton railway station with the town centre via the Firepool and Coal Orchard areas.
Martin Paikes, who lives near Coal Orchard, contacted the council’s enforcement team in mid-June to express concerns about the site’s appearance. He urged officers to take action to ensure the new landscaping at Firepool could properly establish itself.
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The council responded that its enforcement team is currently dealing with multiple issues relating to the site and promised an update in the coming weeks regarding any planned actions.
Mr Paikes raised his concerns again at the council’s planning committee west meeting held in Taunton on 25 August. He noted that despite his initial complaint on 15 June about possible planning consent breaches at Firepool, the enforcement team had stated they could not investigate or take action because the council cannot enforce against itself. Additionally, he was told resource constraints prevented the investigation of planning condition breaches.
Expressing sympathy for the enforcement team’s difficult situation, Mr Paikes nonetheless felt the response was inadequate. After lodging an official complaint, which took seven weeks to be addressed, he sought clarification on progress made regarding the alleged breaches of planning permission along the southern boulevard of Firepool.
These concerns follow complaints from residents of Canal Court, adjacent to the site, about its condition ahead of a key decision on Firepool’s future development.
In response, Bill Cotton, interim service director for planning at Somerset Council, provided a written statement that was read aloud at the meeting by committee chairman Councillor Simon Coles. Mr Cotton acknowledged the public interest in the site’s appearance and maintenance, confirming that the enforcement team is reviewing the issues raised and will determine whether further action is necessary.
He also outlined ongoing efforts by site management bodies, including arrangements for watering the landscaping throughout the growing season, interim measures being implemented, contractor support to replace any failed planting in line with obligations, removal of remaining materials, and improvements to the site’s overall presentation.
Mr Cotton said the council remains committed to addressing the identified problems appropriately and will provide a further update once the enforcement team completes its review and alongside wider operational work.
Somerset Council is currently searching for a development partner to advance the Firepool project, acknowledging that the approved masterplan is not viable to implement without external collaboration.