The long-anticipated redevelopment of Taunton’s former gasworks site is finally moving forward following a decisive ruling by the Planning Inspectorate. The brownfield site, located near the River Tone and bordered by Tangier, the A3807 Castle Street, and Tangier Way, is set to become home to up to 176 new residential units.
Galliford Try Partnerships originally secured planning permission in June 2019 to construct a mix of flats and townhouses arranged in seven blocks. The project also includes improvements to local infrastructure, such as a new footpath link along the river and two additional access points onto Tangier. However, progress stalled due to delays in discharging key planning conditions and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vistry Partnerships, which took over the project, submitted a request in 2022 to discharge three primary conditions from the original planning permission—an essential step to begin preparatory works on the site. When Somerset Council failed to make a timely decision, Vistry appealed on the grounds of non-determination.
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The Planning Inspectorate recently ruled in Vistry’s favor, referencing a Supreme Court decision that clarified phosphate mitigation requirements for developments within the River Tone catchment area. Previously, developments in this zone faced strict conditions to prevent increased phosphate levels harming the nearby Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site.
The council had cited potential environmental impacts related to phosphate discharges as a reason for the delay. However, the Supreme Court’s November 2025 ruling established that developments approved before updated Natural England guidance were not bound by these mitigation requirements to commence construction. This removed a key obstacle to the project moving forward.
Somerset Council confirmed no costs were awarded in relation to the appeal and stated it has yet to receive confirmation of when construction will start. Meanwhile, representatives from Mitchell Architects highlighted the project’s potential to revitalize an important part of Taunton’s town centre, referring to it as “an exciting opportunity to regenerate and enhance the social and economic well-being of the town.”
With the planning hurdles now cleared, the transformation of this former industrial site into a vibrant residential neighborhood looks set to begin in earnest, injecting new life into Taunton’s urban landscape.