Shopping centre to be flattened for retirement complex

Crispin Centre in Street, Somerset, is going to be demolished

Plans to turn a shopping centre into a retirement community have been allowed on appeal.

A planning inspector approved proposals for Crispin Centre in Street, Somerset, after a six-day appeal hearing, following a rejection from county councillors in July 2024.

Churchill Living can now demolish the shopping centre, built in 1979, and construct a retirement complex in its place, with 45 apartments and 11 retirement cottages.

Somerset Council had objected for reasons including a lack of parking, an unattractive design and possible damage to a historic mural at the centre featuring prominent county buildings such as Wells Cathedral.

Crispin Centre houses a mural depicting buildings including Wells Cathedral

Churchill Living said the development was "in a sustainable location" and would deliver "tangible benefits" to the local community.

Planning permission was granted subject to a number of conditions, namely, that construction should begin no later than three years after the decision and the home should be for over-55s only.

Churchill developed the Riverain Lodge retirement apartments in Taunton town centre.

It secured planning permission in 2024 to deliver a similar development on a former police station site in Wells.

The developer's designs for the complex, which will have 45 apartments and 11 cottages

A spokesman for Churchill Living said it was "frustrating" the application had to be decided at appeal despite "overwhelming community support" for the development.

They added it was "good news" for people living in and around Street as people moving into retirement housing will "unlock second-hand, family-sized homes" for others.

"Retirement housing in town centre settings are shown to bring about increased footfall and expenditure in local shops and businesses," they added.