Somerset Council has refused plans for the construction of 35 retirement flats alongside the redevelopment of the existing Co-op Food store in Minehead town centre. The proposal, submitted in March 2024 by The Co-operative Group Ltd. in partnership with McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd., aimed to replace the current store with a modern facility and build retirement housing at the rear of the site located between The Avenue and Summerland Avenue.
The proposed development included 24 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom retirement flats, with amenities such as a residents' lounge, communal gardens, and overnight guest rooms for visiting family members. Parking provisions featured 21 spaces for residents and 19 for the retail unit, alongside storage for mobility scooters and bicycles. The new convenience store was designed to be approximately 4,400 square feet, maintaining access for deliveries via the existing side road.
Despite these plans, Somerset Council’s planning officers rejected the scheme, citing that the design of the new store was “incongruous” with the wider street scene. The Avenue is known for its two-storey buildings lining a tree-lined street, and the proposed single-storey retail structure was considered out of character and harmful to the area’s established appearance. Furthermore, the development was found to cause less than substantial harm to the setting of the nearby Wellington Square conservation area, failing to preserve or enhance this heritage asset.
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A representative of PBL, acting for the developers, explained that the Co-op intends to downsize the store to operate as a convenience outlet better suited to local demand, particularly during the summer tourism season. The smaller store size would allow longer Sunday trading hours and help the Co-op compete effectively with larger supermarkets in the area.
The refusal was made under delegated powers by planning officers, without review by the planning committee west. The developers have yet to announce if they will appeal the decision.