A significant electric vehicle (EV) charging hub is set to be developed near a bustling McDonald’s restaurant just off the M5 in Somerset, pending approval from the local council.
Situated within the Oaktree business park off the A38 Bristol Road in Highbridge, the site lies just south of the Edithmead roundabout, providing easy access to junction 22 of the M5 motorway. This thriving area currently hosts popular drive-thru spots including Greggs, McDonald’s, and Starbucks, alongside larger retailers such as Howdens and Screwfix, a Ford dealership, and various smaller enterprises.
London-based developer TLB Developments Ltd has submitted plans to construct the EV charging hub on one of the last remaining vacant plots within the estate. Somerset Council is expected to reach a decision within the next six months.
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If approved, the new facility will be located at the intersection of Angus Way and Highland Way, close to the Tarnock Garage and directly opposite the McDonald’s outlet that opened in September 2024.
The proposed site will be divided into two distinct areas with separate access points from existing estate roads. On Highland Way, adjacent to the Studio Essence health and fitness centre, 16 “ultra-rapid” charging points will be installed. These will include a substation and two “supercharger cabinets” capable of accommodating a wide range of electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Angus Way will see the addition of a self-service car wash, featuring a one-way traffic system near the Ford garage access.
Representing the applicant, Enzygo Ltd emphasized the importance of the project: “This development directly addresses the urgent national and local need to expand EV charging infrastructure, supporting the transition to a low carbon transport network and contributing to the UK’s net zero targets.”
They added that the hub’s strategic location near junction 22 of the M5 and the A38 corridor will serve not only motorway users but also employees, businesses, and visitors within the employment area.
Modest in scale and low in height, the new infrastructure will include soft landscaping and biodiversity enhancements designed to boost the site’s visual and ecological value.
Somerset Council’s decision is anticipated before Christmas, alongside a similar proposal for an EV charging hub at the Dunball services in Bridgwater.