THE county council has assured that the Junction 26 ‘concrete carriageway’ won’t need to be replaced for a second time if a planned retail park near the M5 is developed.

Chelston Heath LLP secured outline planning permission in July 2023 for a new retail park north of the A38 Chelston Link Road (known as the ‘concrete carriageway’).

Nearly two years after permission was granted, Somerset Council began construction on a £5.7-million scheme to completely revamp the link road, with work expected to conclude by the end of September.

The council has now clarified that this road will not need to be dug up again if and when the new retail park - which would include an electric vehicle charging hub, industrial units, and food and drink outlets - sees the light of day.

Two access points will be provided into the site – one from the link road itself, and the other from the westbound A38, with the prospect of the latter road being widened on the approach to the Chelston roundabout.

Under the terms of the outline planning permission, more detailed proposals for the site must be submitted within three years of permission being granted; otherwise, the planning consent will lapse.

The council said it had received no further applications relating to this site or the associated wetlands, and assured Wellington residents that the road would not need to be rebuilt if and when the retail park came forward.

A spokesperson said: “Outline permission was granted in July 2023, but there has as yet been no application for the reserved matters, which includes landscaping, appearance and layout.

“The applicant needs to put this in within three years of the original application.

“In any case, barring some slight modifications for access (if this application does progress), the ‘concrete carriageway’ scheme will absolutely not have to be redone.”