Bridgwater is set to welcome new job opportunities with the approval of additional commercial units on the outskirts of the town. The Bridgwater Gateway development, situated north of the A38 Taunton Road near junction 24 of the M5, is expanding its business footprint.
Currently, the site features ten business units, a Premier Inn hotel, a Lidl supermarket, and popular outlets including Costa Coffee, Domino’s Pizza, and Greggs. Alongside these, plans are underway to deliver a total of 511 new homes—361 proposed by Keepmoat Homes, with Somerset Council reviewing amended plans, and 150 more being constructed by the Vistry Group.
The recent approval permits Bridgwater Gateway Industrial Ltd to build four additional commercial units on Compass Avenue, adjacent to the existing ten. Construction is expected to start by late summer, with access provided via an existing junction on Compass Avenue.
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These new units will vary in size between 11,000 and 20,000 square meters and will collectively offer 102 parking spaces. Notably, 16 of these will be dedicated electric vehicle charging points, alongside four motorcycle spaces.
Angus Meek Architects, representing the developer, highlight the site’s excellent connectivity. The location is accessible by walking, cycling, and public transport, with a strategic transport corridor along the A38 offering pedestrian and cycle routes. The area benefits from lit pavements, a traffic-free cycle path on Taunton Road, and nearby bus stops approximately 100 meters from the site, providing frequent services throughout the local region.
The development aims to make efficient use of a vacant plot, enhancing Bridgwater’s supply of commercial spaces to meet growing demand. While the exact number of new jobs to be created depends on the tenants that ultimately occupy the units, the project is expected to significantly contribute to local economic growth.
These plans were approved by Somerset Council’s planning officers under delegated powers, streamlining the process without a full public committee decision. With construction slated to begin this summer, Bridgwater’s commercial and residential landscape is poised for dynamic growth.