THE development plans for the 'controversial' Northgate site in Bridgwater are reaching a final critical phase.

At a meeting on May 18, Sedgemoor District Council approved the broad terms for a landowners agreement to allow the project to move forward, with Bridgwater Town Development Forum in attendance.

A following discussion was held on May 19 with Bridgwater Town Planning Panel.

A decision will be made on June 21 with a planning committee.

At the meeting, lead officer Stuart Martin said there were four different masterplan options and that they had engaged consultants to investigate these.

The concept showed the school at the centre which is phase one, car parking which is phase two, extending Brewery Field, a pub, supermarket and leisure complex.

School construction would commence from August 29 with completion by July 2017.

Forum member Dave Chapple criticised contractor, Kier, saying it had recently "been fined for anti-Trade Union acts."

Town council leader, Brian Smedley gave a speech which was approved as the basic policy position for Bridgwater Town Council Planning panel position on Northgate.

He said: "Bridgwater wants to support this project and we appreciate being involved and consulted this time.

"We have supported the original grand design, however, now we are moving into a potentially more critical phase as the detail becomes apparent.

"We support the leisure led facility and the enhancement of the Brewery Field but are concerned at the phasing priorities of these options.

"It doesn’t work building the school and then the junction for instance.

"We are therefore concerned about the low priority of the crucial junction works and the tying of them to commercial considerations rather than making them concurrent with the school.

"We feel Brewery Field enhancements should be brought forward.

Ian Tucker of Bridgwater Forward said Bridgwater needed "a sense of space and in terms of leisure facility needed something that other towns didn’t have," however Nick Gibson branded the plans "dull and boring."

Derek Gibson of Civic Society, was also critical of the design.

He said: "This has been a problem since 1972 to convince local authorities of this, but Bridgwater needs something unique."

Councillor Smedley said he 'remained concerned' about some aspects.

"We remain concerned about Sedgemoor’s fascination with supermarkets.," he added.

"Bridgwater is well served by Supermarkets,so would urge the alternative development of a hotel option, for instance.

"Traffic movements are also a concern.

"The area around Northgate is particularly busy at what would be school opening and closing times.

"The towns roads can become gridlocked very easily.

"Parking is also an issue around Anson Way.

"Cars are always parked nose to tail along the Anson Way and this creates an unsafe crossing area for pedestrians from the brewery field onto the docks area.

"As the project moves up a gear, public options for consultation are now critical."

Councillor Leigh Redman said: "I am mainly supportive.
"I welcome the school as we are short of junior school places and the additional hope for leisure is welcomed and what our community has been calling for.
"I will be working with officers to keep the people of Bridgwater high on their horizon making sure our voice is heard."

Visit http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/Planning_Online/(S(khzfm45aq253yhigsr4cqggx))/Details.aspx?App=08%2f16%2f00063 to leave comments.