A government planning inspector has officially overturned Somerset Council's refusal, granting Churchill Retirement Living permission to demolish the 1970s centre and replace it with a 56-home retirement complex.

The scheme — which includes 45 apartments and 11 retirement cottages — will go ahead despite earlier concerns over heritage, parking, and design. The appeal decision, published on 23 May, follows a six-day public inquiry held last month.

Churchill first unveiled plans to redevelop the site in January 2024, after years of decline at the Crispin Centre following the closure of its Tesco Metro. The shopping centre, once a High Street staple, has faced growing vacancies and dwindling footfall.

The original application was rejected in July 2024 by Somerset Council's planning committee east, which cited eight grounds for refusal — including overdevelopment, phosphate pollution concerns, lack of parking, and the impact on Street's Conservation Area, Crispin Hall, and the Grade II-listed Central Somerset mural.

But now the Planning Inspectorate has ruled in favour of the Hampshire-based developer, arguing that the public benefits outweigh the heritage harm — and that the site's central, sustainable location justifies the reduced parking and higher density.

What's being built?

The Crispin Centre will be replaced by a three-storey L-shaped block of apartments, with two cottage blocks to the north and east. There will be a communal car park with 21 spaces, a shared lounge, landscaped gardens, and access from Leigh Road.

A pedestrian entrance near the library will connect residents to the High Street, while the existing entrance from the shopping centre will be used mainly for servicing.

Public access to the Central Somerset mural, created by artists Philippa Threlfall and Kennedy Collings in 1979, will be retained. Churchill has agreed to preserve the mural and its rear wall, add interpretation panels, and create a conservation plan for its future care.

However, the inspector noted the mural's context would still be "severed" — with the rest of the Crispin Centre gone, its heritage significance would be "diminished".

Why was the council against it?

Councillors had unanimously rejected the scheme last summer, listing eight separate concerns, including:

• Poor parking layout and lack of space for turning
• Safety worries over the Leigh Road access
• No legal mechanism in place for affordable housing or NHS contributions
• Risk of worsening phosphate pollution on the Somerset Levels
• Loss of trees and inadequate green space
• Harm to local heritage assets and the character of the village centre

Despite this, the inspector concluded that most of those issues had since been resolved, and the remainder could be dealt with through planning conditions.

In particular, the inspector highlighted the urgent need for retirement housing in Somerset, noting the council only has 2.2 years of housing supply — well short of the five-year target.

What does Churchill say?

Churchill Retirement Living argued that the new development would deliver "tangible benefits" for Street — freeing up under-occupied family homes, boosting footfall on the High Street, and allowing older residents to live independently in a safe and sociable environment.

A spokesperson said: "The site is in a highly accessible location, making it suitable for older people. The development will make a positive and sustainable contribution to the local economy, and reduce reliance on the private car. It will help tackle loneliness, create a sense of community, and provide peace of mind with emergency support on site."

What's next?

Churchill now plans to begin construction once planning conditions are met. These include securing a phosphate mitigation agreement, maintaining public access to the mural, and providing affordable housing contributions and funding for local health services and recreation.

The site is one of nine identified in the Mendip Local Plan Part II for new housing — and this appeal decision means it will now go ahead, with changes to the shopping centre to follow.

For some, the verdict marks the end of an era for the Crispin Centre. For Churchill and many older residents, it's the start of a new one.