AROUND 200 new jobs and an extra 123 short stay shoppers' parking spaces could be created in Minehead with the arrival of the latest big business to the town, Morrisons.

The supermarket giant has submitted a planning application for its proposed new store on Minehead's Vulcan Road car park and nearby BMX track, together with a petrol station, car wash and coach parking.

Altogether, the development would create 243 short-stay parking spaces, an estimated 66 full-time jobs, 134 part-time positions and a supermarket with a net sales area of 23,254 square feet and associated cafe.

There would be a new roundabout at the junction of Seaward Way and Vulcan Road and a second mini-roundabout giving access to the site off Vulcan Road.

A toilet block would be demolished to make way for a petrol station, although the existing recycling centre would not be affected.

MacDonalds restaurant would also have its own dedicated access and retain all its current parking facilities.

Developer Chelverton Deeley Freed said the scheme would "regenerate an under utilised brownfield site".

In a statement submitted with the plan the firm said: "Overall, the site currently has a poor appearance and contributes little to the visual amenity of the area.

"The proposed development will result in an enhancement to the appearance of the site and, therefore, to the adjoining parts of Minehead."

The planning application marks the final stages of a lengthy and controversial journey for the Vulcan Road site and West Somerset Council.

The authority first agreed to use the land for retail purposes back in 2005 but did not market the site until the end of 2007.

Last April the council decided it wanted a medium sized food store on Vulcan Road and finally plumped for Morrisons in August.

However, even that deal was far from straightforward and problems with covenants over access and parking rights had to be ironed out with both Butlins and MacDonalds before being signed and sealed just after Christmas.

But with its finances still in a perilous position, the council is literally banking on the successful sale and development of the car park to enable it to deposit millions of pounds into its empty coffers.

Chelverton Deeley Freed, which was hand picked by the council to act as its partner developer for Vulcan Road, said the "large scale" of the proposed development was appropriate for the site.

It would also result in improved pedestrian and cycle routes into the town centre and a new bus stop on Seaward Way.

The developer's statement said: "The new car park would be neatly laid out and would be enclosed by new tree and shrub planting and this represents an enhancement over the existing situation.

"The remainder of the site will be provided with a well designed new foodstore and ancillary building, which, in conjunction with new planting, will result in a clear improvement to the visual quality of the area."

The firm said the final scheme had been chosen following "extensive consultation" and would help to bolster the local economy.

The statement concluded: "The redevelopment of the subject site will provide a valuable food retail asset to Minehead and will contribute positively to the viability and sustainability of the town centre."

Experts estimated the store could attract some 8,386 vehicle movements on the busiest days, while people living nearby would experience only "negligible" noise from the completed development.

However, the car wash could have "a minor adverse impact" on local noise levels.

Agent Andrew Lucas of RPS Planning said the store would be modern and well-designed and would replace an "unsightly and run down" council depot and "poorly surfaced" car park.

He said there was a need for a new foodstore in Minehead, which would stop trade leaking out of the district and, ultimately, give shoppers more choice.

He said: "It is the only site in the town that is capable of accommodating this proposed development, is located only 400 metres from the edge of the town centre and is available for and suitable to allow viable development.

"The development will not undermine the vitality and viability of the existing town centre, but will provide increased choice for shoppers and enable clawback of some trade currently being lost to other centres.

"According, the predicted impact on retailing is considered to be moderate beneficial."