A SOMERSET council says it has no plans to buy the Oscar Mayer site in Chard, or to incorporate it into its current regeneration programme.

The site on the A358 Furnham Road is currently on the market after the firm deemed it was not “financially viable” to continue production there.

South Somerset District Council has purchased a number of properties across the UK to fund front-line services, and is investing significantly in Chard town centre – including a new swimming pool and leisure centre.

The South Somerset branch of the Green Party recently suggested the council purchase the site, and to turn it into a “multi-use centre” with a new school, GP surgery and low-cost homes.

But the council has said it has no plans to either buy the site or to incorporate it into the Chard regeneration scheme.

The Greens circulated their suggestion as part of a recent by-election campaign for a vacancy on Chard Town Council.

A spokesman said: “We propose that the district council purchase the Furnham Road site to answer some of the town’s infrastructure problems.

“For example, given its ideal position, could it be developed into a multi-use centre with a primary school, doctors’ and dentists’ surgery and affordable housing?

“It is on a bus route and is near enough for people to walk or cycle into town.

“At the very least, if the community knew there was a plan and some land set aside for this provision, we would all feel better about the introduction of so many new homes.”

Chard is undergoing significant housing growth at present, with construction under way on 142 new homes on Crimchard (known as Blackdown Heights) and a further 200 on the A358 Tatworth Road (a.k.a. Snowdon Grange).

Persimmon Homes South West could soon be granted permission to build a further 252 homes in the town – despite questions about the delivery of new primary schools within the Chard Eastern Development Area (CEDA), funding for GP surgeries in the town, and the future of the planned relief road which will eventually link the A358 to the A30.

Chard & Ilminster News: Artist\'S Impression Of How The Chard \'Eastern Gateway\' Will Look. CREDIT: South Somerset District Council. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

Permission for a further 295 houses east of the Crimchard site, along with a new stadium for Chard Town FC, was granted by the council in February 2020 – though construction has not yet managed to get under way.

The council said it currently had no interest in buying the Oscar Mayer site, which is being marketed by JLL for an unspecified price.

A spokesman said: “We have not had any discussions with the owners of the Oscar Mayer site in Chard to purchase the land, nor have we discussed the current Chard regeneration programme being expanded to include the site.

“The Chard regeneration programme focusses on regenerating the Boden Mill site in the centre of the town, and proposed components include a new leisure centre and swimming pool.

“In addition to this, the scheme proposes a number of other measures to boost business in the town, support events and celebrate the unique heritage of Chard High Street.”

Work to deliver some of the public realm elements of the Chard regeneration scheme is currently under way, and is expected to be completed by October 31 to ensure the new pool can open in the winter.