Somerset council proposes to build residential flats on North Lane and Court Ash car parks, which currently serve as essential infrastructure for the top of town, and Stars Lane car park, which serves the bottom of town.

These carparks are not just a convenience, they are a lifeline for over 30 independent businesses situated on Princes Street and top of town. Many of our customers, particularly the elderly and less mobile residents, rely on accessible parking. The alternative car parks in town such as Quedam multi-storey require a steep uphill walk, which presents a real barrier for older patrons and people with disabilities. Stars Lane provides safe car parking for the evening at the bottom of town. 

Closing these car parks would therefore put the very survival of many businesses at risk, undermining the vitality of our local economy and diminishing the character of our town. Once thriving small businesses are lost they rarely return and our community would be poorer for it.

We strongly urge the council to reconsider their plan and to protect the car parks as vital infrastructure for the community and economy of Yeovil.

 We respectfully request that our voices be taken into account in the decision-making process.