Bridgwater is set to welcome new employment opportunities following the approval of additional commercial units on the Bridgwater Gateway site. Situated north of the A38 Taunton Road near junction 24 of the M5, the site already hosts ten business units alongside a Premier Inn hotel, Lidl supermarket, and popular outlets such as Costa Coffee, Domino’s Pizza, and Greggs.
Alongside this commercial growth, the area is seeing significant residential development, with plans to deliver a total of 511 homes. Somerset Council is currently reviewing amended proposals for 361 of these houses by Keepmoat Homes, while the remaining 150 are being developed by the Vistry Group.
The latest approval, granted to Bridgwater Gateway Industrial Ltd, allows for the construction of four new business units on Compass Avenue, adjacent to the existing units. Construction is anticipated to commence before the end of the year, providing a boost to the local economy.
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These new units will range from 11,000 to 20,000 square meters and will collectively offer 102 parking spaces, including 16 electric vehicle charging points and four motorcycle spaces. Access to the units will be via the existing junction on Compass Avenue.
Angus Meek Architects, representing the developer, highlighted the site’s excellent accessibility. The location benefits from proximity to footpaths, cycle routes, and public transport options along the A38 corridor. Notably, the traffic-free cycle path along Taunton Road links Bridgwater with North Petherton, and nearby bus stops offer regular services connecting the wider area.
The development aims to optimize a vacant site by providing versatile commercial spaces within an established employment hub. This initiative is expected to fill a critical need for additional commercial premises in Bridgwater and drive economic growth.
Although the exact number of jobs these new units will create depends on future tenants, the project promises added opportunities aligned with Bridgwater’s expanding residential community.
The council approved the plans through delegated powers of planning officers, streamlining the process without a full public committee review. Construction is slated to begin by late summer, marking a significant step forward for Bridgwater’s commercial and residential growth.