The Firepool site is a major brownfield regeneration opportunity located in the heart of Taunton, Somerset’s County Town. The site is strategically positioned between Taunton Railway Station and the River Tone and within the town centre. This location offers excellent transport connectivity and the potential to act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Taunton. The Council will consider market feedback on uses; however it has established a set of strategic objectives for the Firepool project, and any future development must align with these: · Deliver a high-quality mixed-use scheme which supports the design principles in the Masterplan and Garden Town themes, particularly: - Placemaking to support Taunton Garden Town, including turning to face the river and connecting the town centre and station. Respond to place and context. - Retaining a focus on public open spaces, public realm and movement through the site and promoting sustainable forms of travel. - Promoting a zero-carbon vision for the site. · Optimise housing outcomes from the site. · Support Taunton’s economic resilience by delivering a mixed-use scheme that is complementary to the town centre and drives economic improvement. · Promote social value contribution from the activities and uses delivered on site. · Support wider regeneration in the local area by ensuring development on site commences at a rapid pace. · Deliver a commercially viable scheme that balances Council risk and reward. The Council is progressing a Development Agreement route for the development of the Firepool site with likely key conditions focused on programme, phasing and quality.