A town planning job to regenerate an area in Somerset has been accepted by Taunton Dean Borough Council.
Plans for the £270 million Firepool scheme can now go ahead to transform the 4.5-acre Priory Road car park in central Taunton.
People with jobs in regeneration are expected to turn the land into 113,000-square foot office and residential space as part of the first phase of the development.
Town developer St Modwen is to go ahead with the proposals, which could provide a big boost for the area with the building of leisure facilities, cafes, restaurants, 400 homes and a hotel as part of the regeneration job.
Borough council leader John Williams described the approval as a "momentous occasion", adding that it is "so well placed" being close to the town centre.
Earlier this week, St Modwen announced that construction work to build a £15 million Quay Shopping Centre in Flintshire has been completed.
The development, which includes a 52,000-square foot supermarket, is expected to open in November 2010.
Posted by Lucy Hallows
