A BELOVED UK baking chain could soon be setting up shop on vacant industrial land in a Somerset town.

Viabill Ltd. was granted outline permission in January to construct a drive-thru outlet on vacant land on Tapstone Road in Chard, near the Brecknell Willis factory.

The Wells-based developer has now submitted revised plans to create two new commercial outlets on the same site – with strong suggestions that Greggs will occupy one of the units.

Somerset Council is expected to make a final decision on the plans over the summer.

The site lies on the southern side of Tapstone Road, next to the Lidl supermarket and opposite the entrance to the Tesco store.

Access will be provided from Tapstone Road, with a new road connecting the two outlets (providing a combined 320 sq m of retail space) with half a dozen planned light industrial units, which are the subject of a separate planning application.

A total of 40 car parking spaces will be provided within the site (which Brecknell Willis used as a car park) to serve both the industrial units and the retail outlets.

The site also lies within close proximity of the Stop Line Way cycle route, which runs across the A30 Crewkerne Road down behind the Tesco store and across Tapstone Stone into the Millfield industrial estate, near the Numatic factory.

While one of the units will be for “light industrial use”, the other is intended to be “a sandwich or hot food and drinks retail unit, and includes a small outside seating area with 30 covers for the benefit of customers.”

A spokesman for Boon Brown Architects (representing the applicant) said: “The application seeks to facilitate the creation of a unit for the sale of hot and cold food for takeaway and on-site consumption. It will generate employment opportunities, with around two full-time and eight part-time positions.

“The proposals also have the benefit of offering a complementary facility, enhancing the attractiveness of the wider commercial area by offering food and drink facilities within close proximity to a range of large employers.

“Its intent would be to service the commercial area, given its location and size it would not compete with the town centre.

“The site is served by good communication links including public transport and the proposals intended customer base would derive at least in part from workers on the trading estate, and in this regard the site would be sustainably located.”

Greggs has not formally confirmed that they are moving into the new units; however, the official artist’s impressions for the site shows a “bakery” outlet in the distinctive blue and yellow colours of the Greggs logo.

A spokesman said: “Greggs is always looking into new shop locations. While we are unable to confirm anything at the moment, we will be sure to share any information in due course.”

The nearest Greggs to Chard currently lies at the Horton Cross services on the Southfields roundabout near Ilminster.

Chard currently benefits from two specialist bakeries in the town bakery – Mortimers on the A30 Fore Street and The Village Bakery on Holyrood Street.

Chard Town Council has recommended approval of the Tapstone Road plans – though councillors requested that solar panels be installed on the roofs of the new units in line with wider strategies about climate change and renewable energy.

Somerset Council is expected to make a final ruling on the plans later in the year.