A 24-hour service station, fast food takeaway and a convenience supermarket could be built on land adjoining the A39 Tropiquaria roundabout – subject to planning permission – if local communities give the go-ahead.

If reaction is favourable and early planning consent is obtained, the facility could be up and running by next summer, the Free Press was told this week.

Forelle Estates Ltd, a Poole-based property management company, has invited residents and local councillors to discuss its emerging plans for the project – first mooted a year ago – at a drop-in session at Williton Pavilion on December 4.

If it goes ahead, a Budgens supermarket, a fast food outlet and Shell service station would be built on land owned by the Wyndham Estate opposite the Tropiquaria Zoo.

Budgens has over 180 stores, many on petrol station forecourts, and the proposed development would be modelled on 24-hour facilities available in Wellington and Bridgwater.

If approved, the new complex, to be built in a field adjoining the road, would also include four dual fuel pumps, including one for HGVs, electric car charging points, a car-wash and a cash machine.

John Mason, managing director of the development’s associate company Falcon Retail, said: “The proposals are currently at a very early stage and Florelle Estates wants to discuss the plans with the local community before progressing any further.

“We’re re now ready to take the project forward to planning but it is very important to us to get the community’s approval about all aspects of the development, including 24-hour opening.

“Surveys we have already done indicate that there is a demand for what we are offering and there seems to be a shortage of the services we would provide.

“If, on the other hand, the community were to tell us that they hated the scheme, we would simply drop it. We will only go ahead if everyone’s happy.”

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