Demolition bid seeks to take out centre’s canopy

The Crispin Shopping Centre in Street has seen years of decline

- Local democracy journalist [e-mail]

PART of a disused shopping centre could be demolished after Christmas to allow a new retirement community to be delivered nearby.

The Crispin Shopping Centre has been a feature of Street since 1979, but has experienced several years of decline since the closure of the village’s Tesco Metro store.

Churchill — Retirement Living secured permission in late-May (following a public inquiry) to demolish the shopping centre and build a retirement complex in its place, with 45 extra care apartments and 11 ‘retirement cottages!

Aberdare Estates Ltd, the site’s current owners, have now applied for permission to demolish the entrance canopy of the shopping centre - which, if approved, would allow the main construction to begin by mid-2026.

The site is one of nine identified for delivering new housing within the council's revised Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was formally adopted by Somerset Council in September.