PLANS to have existing buildings on an industrial estate in Highbridge torn down and replaced with a new canteen and storage area have been approved.

Somerset Council signed off on the plans for works at the Bakkavor Desserts centre on Bolton Close, as permission was granted on Friday, April 19.

The design and access statement details the full extent of the plans, which include removing/relocating existing temporary office buildings, and demolishing the current Canteen and Amenities facility along with its associated external canopies.

There are also plans to relocate two storage containers and a chemical storage unit, along with making 'minor amendments' to the existing HGV pedestrian access gates in the vicinity of the existing Canteen and Amenities facility.

The existing building which the applicant will soon demolish consists of five 'Portakabin' type buildings which have now reached the end of their lives - work has already had to be done to support the building's sagging roof.

The applicant wrote that a larger building is needed due to the existing building becoming a staff shop as well as a traditional canteen.

"Whilst the number of employed staff has not increased since the original Canteen and Amenities building was first erected, it’s use has grown from being simply a canteen to now providing a staff shop supplying a wide range of items, as well as areas for staff to relax when they are on breaks," they wrote.

"This has consequently reduced the amount of space available in the Canteen for use by staff resulting in the need for split breaks.

"For many of the staff, the shop is their only opportunity during the working day to purchase both food as well as other items, such as sanitary items.

"Additionally, for many of the staff, the current facility is their only opportunity of getting a hot meal during their working shift."

It is proposed that the new building would be constructed from the same colour and materials as the existing buildings on the site, 'to ensure that it matches their visual appearance'.

For more information on the application, search reference number 11/24/00009 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.