Appeal will decide future of 'ugly' shopping centre

Plans to turn an "eyesore" shopping centre into a retirement community are to be decided by a planning inspector.

A six-day appeal hearing will begin in Shepton Mallet on Wednesday, after Somerset councillors rejected the plans for Street's Crispin Shopping Centre in July 2024.

Churchill Retirement Living wants to demolish the shopping centre, originally built in 1979, and build a retirement complex in its place, with 45 extra care apartments and 11 retirement cottages.

Somerset Council's Planning Committee East voted against the proposals citing a lack of parking, an unattractive design and possible damage to local heritage assets.