A MYSTERY big-business bidder is in negotiation for Minehead land previously ear-marked for housing, West Somerset councillors were told at a behind-closed-doors meeting last week.

The council approved a recommendation of its asset project group to take forward commercial negotiations to enter a contract with what was described as a “preferred bidder” to develop nearly six acres of land off Seaward Way.

The land was originally designated for 49 houses, including a large number of affordable properties, but a planned deal with developers David Wilson Homes fell through in June when they pulled out.

The council, which was banking on the deal to help balance its books and pay off debts, said at the time it was “disappointed” the deal had fallen through and put the land back up for sale for either residential or retail/leisure use.

Although details of the deal have never been made public, the district council was expecting to make around £2.6 million from the sale of assets including the Seaward Way site.

Planning permission would be needed before any development can go ahead and this week there was growing belief among the town’s business community that councillors will shortly be asked to agree a change of use for the land so that serious negotiations can start.

“There are all sorts of rumours about what will be built there but the last thing we want is another major supermarket or national chain store,” said Graham Sizer, deputy chairman of Minehead Chamber of Commerce and a shop-owner in the town for over 40 years.

“Tesco, Morrisons and soon Lidl can take over 50 per cent of business from the High Street and the cumulative impact of yet another major retailer could be catastrophic.

“For instance, there was a rumour about a furniture store but there are two excellent furniture shops in the town already.”

Asked about a possible retail or business development on the site, a council spokesman said: “The council is supportive of proposals to develop Seaward Way to create jobs in the area.”