A MAJOR planning application has been submitted for phase one of the Somerset Low Carbon Energy Hub (SLCEH) in Bridgwater.

The application is for a three-storey building to form technology workshops and office space on the Woodlands Court Business Park on Bristol Road.

The planning statement on the application states: "This project aims to provide a flexible, economic but energy efficient and environmentally sensitive building to attract and facilitate low carbon energy and other related businesses in the region.

"This building – 'phase one' - needs to have a strong relationship to the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre (SEIC) and be designed with a future phase two in mind.

"Thus the design task is to create an attractive and viable business 'campus' as well as individual buildings."

The development is in response to EDF's proposed Hinkley Point C Power Station and in support of further economic development of low and zero carbon technology.

To this end, Somerset County Council and partners are developing a Low Carbon Energy Innovation & Collaboration Centre.

The Somerset Energy Innovation Centre forms the first development in response to this objective, providing an

initial 3,000m² of office, meeting and collaboration space with associated cafe facilities.

The future SLCEH phases one and two will combine to establish The Innovation Centre which will provide strategic assets helping to create an economic legacy for the region.

This legacy will be centred on the low carbon energy and nuclear power generation industry and act as a catalyst for a cluster of new businesses in Somerset.

The building is BREAM Excellent, the highest environmental accreditation for new buildings and will decided by Sedgemoor District Council.