Part of a disused Somerset shopping centre will be demolished in the coming weeks to allow a new retirement community to be delivered nearby.

The Crispin Shopping Centre has been a feature of Street since 1979, but has experienced several years of decline since the closure of the village's Tesco Metro store.

Churchill Retirement Living secured permission in late-May 2025 (following a public inquiry) to demolish the shopping centre and build a retirement complex in its place, with 45 extra care apartments and 11 'retirement cottages'.

Aberdare Estates Ltd, the site's current owners, applied in November 2025 for permission to demolish the entrance canopy of the shopping centre – which, if approved, would allow the main construction to begin by mid-2026.

Somerset Council has now given these plans the green light, allowing the entrance canopy to be removed in a matter of weeks – with further plans for the wider demolition expected to follow shortly.

The site is one of nine identified for delivering new housing within the council's revised Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was formally adopted in September 2025.

Under Churchill's proposals, the existing buildings would be replaced with a three-storey, L-shaped block of apartments, with two blocks of cottages on the northern and eastern sides.

Access will be from Leigh Road (including a pedestrian entrance near the library), while the current pedestrian access from High Street will be used primarily as a service entrance.

A communal car park with 21 spaces will be provided in the centre of the site, with landscaping being put in place to separate the homes from the council-run Southside car park on Vestry Road.

The shopping centre lies within the Street conservation area, with a grade two listed mural within the site being retained as part of its redevelopment.

Chris Hays from Sycha Development Planning (representing the applicant) said that removing the entrance canopy would enhance the street's appearance ahead of the main construction work beginning.

He said: "The removal of the canopy structure will not materially affect the significance of the retained heritage asset.

"The canopy structure does not contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area, which in this area derives attractiveness and interest from the traditional commercial buildings lining the High Street and the associated activity on the town's principal shopping street.

"The removal of the modern entrance canopy can be regarded as having a minor positive impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

"There is clear rationale for removing this redundant structure now that the associated shopping centre has closed."

The council approved the plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area).

Deputy leader Liz Leyshon (whose Street division includes the site) gave the plans her official backing, arguing that leaving the canopy in place was "misleading".

She said: "I understand it is the signage and cover only that is proposed to be demolished at this time, with the main development of the Crispin Centre being expected at a later date.

"I completely support the removal of the signage that is now completely misleading, as the shops in the former Crispin Centre have been closed for some time."