A MAJOR new warehouse and freight hub could soon be delivered in Yeovil under plans more than ten years in the making.

Outline plans for a new large-scale warehouse on the Seafire Park site on Bunford Lane were granted by South Somerset District Council back in 2005 and 2009 respectively, with the permissions being renewed in 2013.

Nearly a decade later, Bristol-based firm PMK Consult Ltd. has put forward proposals for a “purpose-built distribution warehouse” on the site, providing a base for van drivers to deliver parcels to addresses in the local area.

The council’s regulation committee will make a decision on the plans on Tuesday morning (February 15).

The site lies on the southern side of Bunford Lane, near the existing Garador base and the recently completed iAero Centre.

The area is allocated for employment use within the council’s Local Plan (which is currently under review) and is close to the A3088 Cartgate link road, which connects Yeovil to the A303.

In a report prepared ahead of the committee meeting, planning officer David Kenyon explained the role which the site would play in local logistics and delivery operations.

Chard & Ilminster News: Artist\'s Impression Of Proposed Yeovil Distribution Centre On Bunford Lane In Yeovil. CREDIT: S&SA Architects. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

He said in his report: “The site would effectively operate as a freight consolidation centre with HGVs providing goods from larger storage facilities and vans then distributing these goods to the local area.

“Local drivers would arrive at the site by various means of transport, collect a van and leave the site to make deliveries.

“Once all deliveries have been made, drivers would return the vans to the site, collect their own vehicles (if they have driven to the site), or travel home by other means of transport.

“The vans that undertake the last mile element of distribution are located to ensure they can deliver goods for at least 6 hours in a single journey. This ensures efficiency of the operation and reduces vehicle movements.”

A total of 7,705 sq m of floor space will be provided within the warehouse, with vans being able to park in a “van storage deck” (like a multi-storey car park, with 362 spaces) when they are not in use.

HGVs will enter along the site along Watercombe Lane, passing near the council’s Brympton Way offices, and join the warehouse complex via a new access road at the south-eastern corner.

Since the grade two listed bridge on Watercombe Lane has been deemed unsuitable for HGVs, those vehicles will instead exit onto Bunford Lane.

A total of 121 staff parking spaces will be provided on site, including 62 electric vehicle charging points, along with 40 bicycle spaces and 13 motorcycle spaces.

Chard & Ilminster News: Proposed Site Of Yeovil Distribution Centre On Bunford Lane In Yeovil. CREDIT: Google Maps. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

The applicant has not confirmed which company will end up operating the site, or how many new local jobs it will create.

A spokesman for S&SA Architects (representing the developer) said: “The design intention is to create a high-quality contemporary development that is both attractive, of high quality and [will] increase the status of site, with positive access links, set within a landscaped environment which encourages new and continued business to the area.”

The committee will meet virtually on Tuesday (February 15) at 10am to discuss the plans. The meeting will be live-streamed via the council’s official YouTube channel.