COUNCILLORS have been impressed by plans to create employment for Wellington with a new business park on land on the outskirts of town.

Members of Wellington Town Council heard at their latest meeting from Simon Coles, director of Tetra Tech Planning, about a proposal for a development on land adjacent to the A38 and M5 spur road next to the busy Chelston roundabout.

Mr Coles said the plans included units for employment and light industrial, and would not involve any offices or shops.

He added that up to three restaurants could be included in the development, along with a ’couple of landmark buildings’ such as a hotel.

"We are at an advanced stage with the planning application and we’ll be ready to submit it soon - if not before Christmas, but definitely soon after."

The Chelston roundabout continues to cause concern because it becomes extremely busy with traffic at peak times of the day.

Mr Coles said he was aware of the issues and that talks had been held with the highways department about installing a dedicated left-hand land from the A38 running into the M5 spur.

Cllr John Thorne said: "This seems to be a much more sensible development creating employment for the area.

"I like the idea of a dedicated left-hand lane into the spur road. The Chelston roundabout is virtually at capacity at peak times and that would be a benefit."

Cllr Nancy Powell-Brace said she had some concerns that over time Wellington would become a ’sprawling town and blending into Taunton’ with all the developments.

She questioned how close the development would be in relation to the planned House of Somerset visitor destination just off Junction 26 of the M5.

Mr Coles, who tried to allay her fears by saying there was plenty of room between the two sites, said: "House of Somerset will be more likely to get traffic from the M5, whereas our development will be more related to Wellington."

Cllr James Hunt said that one of the big questions people asked in reaction to more housing development in the town was ’where are people going to work?’

"This is where people will work [in relation to the planned development]," he said. "In principle I think this scheme has got a lot of merit."