A beloved UK baking chain could be just months away of setting up shop in a Somerset town after construction work began.
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 submitted revised plans in April to create two new commercial outlets on the same site – with strong suggestions that Greggs will occupy one of the units.
After Somerset Council approved in July, construction work has now begun on site – meaning the new units could be open to the public by May 2024.
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.”
The new units are being constructed by C Squared Construct Ltd., which is based in Clyst St. Mary on the outskirts of Exeter – and which has also been recently constructing the new section of the Westpark 26 business park in Wellington.
Greggs has not formally confirmed that they are moving into the new units; however, the official artist’s impressions for the site shows a “bakers” outlet in the distinctive blue and yellow colours of the Greggs logo.
A spokesman stated in June: “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 centre – Mortimers on the A30 Fore Street and The Village Bakery on Holyrood Street.
The new units on Tapstone Road are expected to be completed and occupied by May 2024.
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