WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Green light for railway development


Green light for railway development...


• Issued by WSSRT.

Green light for railway development at Bishops Lydeard

Local planners have given the green light for an ambitious heritage railway-related development at Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway which will provide much needed new visitor facilities on the 20-mile line.

Taunton Deane Borough Council’s planning committee met on Wednesday 21 May and councillors voted to GRANT planning permission for the West Somerset Railway’s proposed Museum, Carriage Display building, other tourist facilities and associated developments adjacent to Bishops Lydeard station.

Local councillors voted unanimously in favour of all but one aspect of the scheme, for the inn or restaurant, and on that issue the vote was still 13 to 1 in favour and carried. One councillor commented at the time that the scheme "ticked all the boxes".

West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Project Director Robin White, said: "This is a great vote of confidence in the West Somerset Railway by Taunton Deane Borough Council and will help us provide some much needed, top class facilities at Bishops Lydeard.

"This planning permission, along with the arrangements this makes possible with local developers Gadds of Taunton, will now allow us to provide 21st century standard visitor facilities at our busy southern terminus.

"Within 18 months, we should have a new cafe and other tourist facilities to be proud of, and serious fundraising can now start in earnest for our new Museum and Carriage Display Building. The West Somerset Railway is going from strength to strength."

As well as the Museum and Carriage Display Building the planning permission allows for: a cafe; courtyard with picnic and children’s play area; cycle hire shop; microbrewery; creative industry units; an office building for a local carbon-offsetting business; some road safety improvements, including a much needed roundabout at the A358 junction; plus open-market and affordable housing. Further details of the project, including plans and drawings can be seen at the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust’s website at www.wssrt.co.uk.

West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
22 May 2008