Taunton's Firepool regeneration project plans thrown out

The plans for a hotel, cinema, shops and restaurants along the waterfront were rejected by planners

The latest plans to redevelop the old cattle market site in the centre of Taunton have been rejected.

The Firepool site has been empty for eight years and plans had been submitted for a new cinema as well as shops, homes and parking.

The £105m project was turned down after concerns about the visual impact of the development and car parking issues.

Pete Davies, from developers St Modwen, said they were "extremely disappointed" with the decision.

Part of the Firepool site, which is by the River Tone, has already been developed with flats and offices and several different ideas for developing the area have been proposed since 2004.

The plans were rejected after concerns about the visual impact of the development

Taunton Deane Borough councillor Roger Habgood said they were still committed to developing Firepool: "It's an important site and we have to get it right - you only get a chance to do this once and hopefully St Modwen will come back with an amended plan.