A PLANNING application for a controversial retail development on Minehead's Vulcan Road car park could be submitted within a matter of weeks. Although West Somerset Council has yet to reveal who will be the major player in the main supermarket aspect of the development, opponents have long suspected Asda-Walmart to be the main contender. Stacey Beaumont, the council's media and PR officer, confirmed the authority had set itself a "rough target" of September for the submission of a planning application but said nothing would be submitted until officers were happy they had found "the right scheme". Meanwhile, rumours have been circulating that the planning application is unlikely to feature the name of the chosen supermarket developer, possibly in a bid to avert any potential opposition campaign by town centre traders and pressure group DIRECT. In the past, both groups have openly criticised the council for paving the way for what they believe would be an out-of-town development, fearing the arrival of another supermarket chain could have a devastating impact on Minehead's existing town centre traders. Ms Beaumont said it was not a planning stipulation for any prospective developers or occupiers to be named in an application but added: "If an individual occupier has committed to investing in Minehead then we can't see any reason why they can't be identified." As well as a supermarket, a number of other smaller retail outlets are envisaged for the car park site.
