A TAUNTON cricket club wants to create a private car park on land in the town centre.

Taunton Deane Cricket Club has applied to Somerset Council to create the 56-space facility on land neighbouring the ground, at The Convent Field, behind Vivary Park.

The land was previously home to Taunton Deane Borough Council’s nursery, which has since closed, with the land becoming vacant.

“The site currently features a large section of concrete hardstanding and concrete access road, although these areas are now covered with detritus,” the application, submitted by Haygrove Building Design Ltd on behalf of the club, said.

“Vehicles can still access the land via gates on the north east boundary (old access to the plant nursery) via a continued right of access through neighbouring Ellisfields Court Retirement Home.”

How the car park could be laid out. Picture: Haygrove Building Design Ltd/Somerset Council

Though the Environment Agency classes the site as high risk for long-term flooding, the application said the car park would only be used during matches, which are seasonal, and not in very wet weather.

“The existing gates along the north eastern boundary will remain in place for council maintenance vehicles to have continued unimpeded access through the car park and out to land situated to the south east,” it went on.

“It is not possible to install mains power to the car park, so lighting for the site will comprise individual solar-powered units, focused downwards and at a low level which is rated bat-friendly.”

The application said the car park was a “much-needed community facility”, with parking limited at the ground.

“The proposed car park will make good use of what is currently waste land and given the proposed use should not present any risk from flooding or indeed make the flooding worse in other locations,” it added.

For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to www.somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 38/24/0068.