PLANS to demolish an empty shopping centre in Yeovil without first setting out a clear plan for its future have come under fire.
Somerset Council is spending up to £1.2 million to demolish Glover’s Walk , with the money coming from the Future High Streets fund allocated by the government.
The demolition, starting soon, is part of a larger redevelopment of the town known as the Yeovil Refresh, which includes new walking and cycling routes, and improved public transport links to Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction railway stations.
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The council said the Glovers Walk site will eventually see affordable accommodation built above commercial and retail premises at 66 Middle Street, 96 Middle Street and Wyndham Street.
But before this can happen, the site will form a ‘meanwhile use’ following demolition – the specifics of which will be informed by an upcoming public consultation.
Yeovil town councillor Tareth Casey (Independent, Westland Ward) has voiced concerns that Somerset Council is rushing to demolish the shopping centre before it finalises a long-term strategic plan for the future of the site.
“My primary concern with this proposal is the lack of commitment to a long-term plan for the area, or even a short-term understanding of a ‘meanwhile use'”, he said.
“Based on the limited information available to me as a town councillor, it appears that Somerset Council intends to spend around £1million to demolish this part of town without a clearly defined purpose, timeline, or budget for what comes next.
“Stating a ‘meanwhile use’ which in itself has no detail, timelines or budget committed to it.”
He added: “We need a well-defined plan that includes timelines and budget considerations, rather than a strategy focused solely on demolition.
“I’d be happy to support a proposal for this area based on a genuine plan with clear benefits for our town.
“We are being told that they will consult with the public on any planned ‘meanwhile use’ but surely this needs to be carried out before any demolition takes place?”
Somerset Council has said the ‘meanwhile use’ could be in effect for a number of years as they expect the creation of a viable development plan for the site could drag on.
A spokesperson said: “We will be developing a longer-term plan for the site, working with a range of partners to determine what form of development would work best on this site – and as part of a wider review of development potential across the whole of Yeovil town centre.
“Initially further demand studies will be carried out to create a basis for future development.
“We are also working with Love Yeovil and Yeovil Art Space to carry out a community consultation, to help shape the meantime use and the longer-term ideas for the site.
“As with all major developments, we would expect this process of creating a viable development plan and procuring a partner, to take a number of years. Initially costs for developing the plan will be covered by grants.”
The council added that the ‘meanwhile use’ will initially see the creation of a green space with some “temporary structures” to support the bus station and it will evolve until the full plans for the development are finalised.
Cllr Casey has suggested the money used to demolish the site would be better spent on creating more retail units on the lower floor to encourage more town centre business growth and footfall.
“Instead of demolishing, Somerset Council could better utilise the demolition funds by improving the lower floors for retail use and offering these spaces to local businesses, possibly through an initial rent-free period followed by discounted rates (as The Quedam have done),” he said.
“This approach would help demonstrate that the town centre can be economically viable and attract long-term investment.
“Currently, the council’s plan seems to shift responsibility for a failing town centre onto demolition, allowing them to claim that the majority of premises are occupied by eliminating a portion of the empty spaces.
“However, this does not address the underlying issues or provide a viable solution for the future.”
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