Places features

It's one of the biggest town centre redevelopments in the South West: Project Taunton has been talked about for years in the county.

It is hoped to provide at least 7,000 jobs, 80,000m² of employment space and 50,000m² of new retail space. In addition it will also will create 2,000 new homes in the town centre and support at least 18,000 new homes across Taunton as a whole.

The first stage of the project, the Firepool development, is where Taunton's livestock market used to be situated.

The £270m scheme will see new homes, shops and leisure facilities being built on the 50 hectare area in the town centre.

The key development areas within Taunton are:

• The commercial centre, Firepool
• The cultural quarter extending from the Somerset County Cricket Club along the River Tone to Tangier and incorporating Coal Orchard, the Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, the Museum and Castle Green
• Tangier, a riverside location for homes and businesses and
• Retail area in the town centre.

St Modwen Properties has been chosen to redevelop the area, a decision which was delayed over fears due to the recession.

Mark Green from Project Taunton said it was important to make the right choice for the job.

"It's true we've taken some time," he said.

"Firstly, the process is time-consuming and the economy has slowed us down, but we have been careful to pick the right partner to work with us on this project because it's tremendously important for the future of Taunton."

Other plans in Project Taunton include a cultural quarter, riverside homes and offices and more town centre shops.

But with shops closing right across the town, do you think the area can sustain this development?