A NEW Tesco Express looks set to open on the outskirts of Taunton.

The company has applied for planning permission in connection with its plans to operate out of a former vehicle showroom in Bathpool.

It has submitted proposals to Somerset West and Taunton Council for illuminated and non-illuminated signs at 138 Bridgwater Road.

The currently vacant premises owned by Helston Garages Ltd previously housed Taunton Land Rover before it was relocated to Priory Way, in Taunton, in 2018.

Churchill Land LLP lodged a planning application last year to use the 0.6-acre site for a convenience store and a children's nursery in the existing building.

A rear single storey extension could be demolished and replaced with another single-storey structure to house a pharmacy under the proposals, which have been approved by SWT.

The development would serve as community facilities for rapidly expanding Monkton Heathfield, where thousands of new homes have been built in recent years.

Initial plans suggested the convenience store could operate seven days a week from 6am to 11pm, while the pharmacy would open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday and the nursery would operate from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.

When the proposals were unveiled last year, a spokesperson for the development said: "A solution is needed to provide the site with a new lease of life to benefit the local economy and the surrounding community.

"We are preparing a full planning application to provide a mix of community facilities at the former Land Rover site.

"The scheme includes a children’s nursery, a pharmacy and a ‘walk in’ convenience store to serve the Monkton Heathfield community.

"This new mix of community facilities would also generate employment opportunities for local people."