A NEW large industrial building – described as a warehouse – other business units and up to 35 affordable homes could soon be built on unused land on Seaward Way near Minehead’s community hospital.

The scheme, approved by West Somerset Council’s cabinet on Wednesday, will involve selling half the site for housing and borrowing nearly £3 million to build industrial units for rent.

The cabinet went into secret session to discuss commercially sensitive details of the project and possible tenants, said to include a “major business operator”.

Members recommended that scheme go to the full council for approval on September 20.

Asking for cabinet support for the scheme, Cllr Keith Turner, lead member for housing, health and wellbeing, said: “This piece of land has probably been the most marketed site in West Somerset.

“There have been many suggestions for its use but then it turned out that such schemes wouldn’t work.

“We have now got to the point where it is quite exciting – a win-win situation. The proposal is to split the site, with half for commercial use, which will help job-creation, and the other half residential.”

Cllr Turner said a new large commercial building would free up other smaller units in the town, giving new start-up opportunities for small businesses. The residential element would provide affordable housing, which was much needed.

The recommendation was strongly supported by Cllrs Andrew Hadley, Karen Mills, Jean Parbrook, Martin Dewdney and Karen Mills.

“It’s pretty mega,” said Cllr Mills