A POPULAR Somerset farm shop and eatery is set to expand – if new plans are approved.

Teals, off the A303 at South Cadbury, has applied to Somerset Council for permission to extend the farm shop in order to provide “additional retail and takeaway food areas”, as well as enlarging the parking area.

The scheme would “enlarge and improve the buildings at Teals to include additional retail floor area and space for local community activities”, the application said, as well as separating the take-away food area, “which is currently somewhat congested within the main building”.

The extension and new goods-in building would “use a similar architectural language” to the current buildings, aimed at reflecting “a group of farm buildings”.

The application went on: “The adjacent orchard is a significant design element, and the new building and new landscaping have been designed as a continuation of the axial layout of the
orchard.

“The setting of new fruit trees within the development area using the same grid layout ensures that the building has good views out along the line of existing and new trees.

“In effect, the layout of the original orchard is continued into the new landscape.”

Teals, off the A303 at South Cadbury, has been hailed a big success since it opened in 2020. Picture: Teals

The car park would be laid with “bonded gravel with areas of planting and paving”, it said, to create the feeling “the new building is part of the existing landscape”.

Since opening in 2020, the application details how Teals “has been a great success”.

“It is extremely well used by the local community within the surrounding area, as well as by those passing through Somerset on the A303,” the plans said.

“As a result of its success, but also to improve the customer experience for guests, the proposed expansion will result in a small increase in retail and community use floor area, with significant enhancement of circulation space, staff facilities and offices.

“The separation of the take-away element from its current location will overcome congestion at busy times.”

The plans highlight “significant economic benefits” the business brings, with staff numbers exceeding the original estimate, with further jobs created by the expansion.

For more details on the scheme, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 25/01937/FUL.

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Other views of the planned expansion at Teals, off the A303 at South Cadbury. Picture: Forge/Somerset Council