A long-abandoned site off Commercial Road in Shepton Mallet is finally getting a revamp — with plans now approved to flatten derelict buildings and turn the space into a 40-bay town centre car park.

The land at 14 Commercial Road, once home to a café and vehicle workshop, has sat unused and crumbling for years. But local developer Pat Bridgeman has got the green light from Somerset Council to demolish the decaying structures and build a secure, landscaped car park in their place.

The move is being billed as a practical short-term fix to support nearby shops and residents — with longer-term redevelopment of the area still on the cards. The revamped site will include permit-only parking, disabled bays, new paving, low-level solar lighting, and CCTV coverage to deter crime.

Access will be via a widened entrance off Commercial Road, with kerbs to stop vehicles mounting footpaths and sight lines maintained by keeping all shrubs below one metre and trees trimmed from two metres upwards. A height barrier will also be installed to prevent unauthorised encampments.

Council officers signed off the scheme after working with police Designing Out Crime advisors, and plans were adjusted to meet community concerns around safety, lighting and appearance.

While a previous version of the plan suggested 55 spaces, the approved design now includes around 40 bays, balancing space with the need for clear access and improved street views.

The development lies in Shepton Mallet's Conservation Area and is seen as a welcome clean-up of a key gateway to the High Street. Locals can view the full plans under planning reference 2024/0753/FUL on the Somerset Council website.

More local stories:

• Shepton Mallet's biggest housing scheme in decades approved after years of delays – over 600 homes set to be built alongside a school and care home.
• Free parking off Great Ostry Street and Paul Street still available for market-goers – reminder of nearby parking options.

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