'Green cathedral' plans for Taunton

Artist's impression of the crossing from French Weir Park to Longrun Meadows

A green cathedral made of willow, new cycle routes and footpaths could be on the way for the French Weir area of Taunton.

A question and answer session is being held today for people directly affected by the plans to share their views of the proposals.

The land was initially bought by the council to build the Silk Mills Park and Ride and for flood defences.

Not all of it was used and it is hoped the rest can be developed for public use.

'Extremely attractive area'

Although the planning application has already been submitted to Taunton Deane Borough Council, this question and answer session is designed exclusively for stakeholders, rather than the general public.

Stakeholders include local residents, Castle School and the Army Resource Centre and will give them the chance to speak to Steve Swan, the architect involved in the proposals.

The meeting will be held at the Genesis Centre from 5pm to 6pm.

Mark Green, project manager for Project Taunton, said: "Our proposal is to use the rest of the land to create a public open space so that people from the town and from Bishop's Hull can access this extremely attractive area.

"We're intending to create new cycle routes and new footpaths, some facilities for young people and also some environmental features, like a green cathedral - a living building made out of trees."

Longrun Meadows was originally used for pasture and is on the town's flood defence system. It runs from French Weir and Marshallsea Walk to Silk Mills and St Margaret's Hospice.

A decision on the planning application is expected to be made before Christmas.