CAMPAIGNERS have thanked Somerset Council for “seeing the light” after the authority rowed back on plans to sell a car park in Taunton.
Somerset Council planned to sell off the Mary Street 270-space High Street car park in the town centre along with 20 other assets around the county as it scrambled to raise funds in light of its financial emergency.
But the council announced on Tuesday (February 11) that it is halting plans to sell off the car park after almost 2,000 people signed a petition calling for the decision to be reversed.
Andrew Knutt, director of Creative Innovation Centre (CICCIC) in Taunton, who started the petition, says businesses would have suffered had the car park sale gone through.
“Had it been sold, the economic impact on all organisations and businesses in the area would have been severe, with many threatened with closure,” he said.
“Moreover, safe parking for many older citizens who use local services would have been removed, meaning an impact on social lives and connecting with the community.”
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He added: “This is good news and will have a positive effect on the 10,000s of people each year that use our venue at CICCIC, Lawns Club, six churches/faith organisations, Vivary Park visitors, the night time economy, High Street visitors, and much more.
Andrew Knutt launched the petition Picture: Project Gaumont
He said ample parking is essential to the visitor economy as a “surprising” amount of customers come from other areas of Somerset and beyond.
Somerset Council said the message from Taunton was “loud and clear” and that it listened to Taunton Town Council and businesses, which raised concerns about the possible impacts of selling it for development.
‘Car park sale would have been damaging’
Taunton Town Council itself welcomed the decision, with councillor Caroline Ellis (Bishop’s Hull & Taunton West/Lib Dems) saying that while they appreciate Somerset Council has difficult decisions to make, it is the role of the town council to protect the long-term future of the town and its residents.
Councillor John Hunt (Bishop’s Hull & Taunton West/Independent) said he is thrilled that Somerset Council has “seen the light”.
“To say I’m thrilled for the people and businesses of Taunton that this vital facility is not going to be closed by Somerset Council is a massive understatement,” he said.
“Having pushed for this unlikely result since September, it is a huge relief to receive this terrific news for our county town.
Councillor John Hunt has welcomed the news Picture: John Hunt
“Due to their grim financial situation, I realise the council needs to sell assets; however, based on the figures provided to me in September, selling this car park would have undoubtedly damaged our county town’s economy, whilst making no financial sense whatsoever for Somerset Council.”
Cllr Hunt said it became increasingly clear that Somerset Council was not going to budge from its original decision, so he asked for the support of the town council, which then wrote to Somerset Council asking for the car park to be retained.
He added: “Throughout this campaign to retain our High Street Car Park, the amount of support from the public and local businesses has been overwhelming; this decision will mean so much to so many.
“I would like to thank Somerset Council for ‘seeing the light’ and finding a way to change their decision.”
A decision recommending the removal of the car park from the ‘for sale’ list has been added to the council’s forward plan and will be formalised before the end of March.
Somerset Council says it has been taking emergency actions to reduce costs since its creation in April 2023, but rising pressures in adult and social care in the county mean the council is facing a gap of around £66m for 2025/26.
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