Excelsior Terrace Sites

Existing context

The site is presently charity shops with Dorothy House located on the west side of Excelsior Terrace Junction and The British Heart Foundation and is in need of significant remediation prior to redevelopment.

The site faces onto the High Street with Midsomer Norton Methodist Church across the road and a variety of other domestic scale buildings in the immediate context. Both sites have parking provided to the rear.

It has been noted that both of these buildings make a poor contribution to the town centre in terms of their design, and the Dorothy House building is also only a single storey structure so represents untapped town centre capacity. The sites have the potential to be redeveloped to make a stronger contribution to the High Street.

The sites are in separate ownership and operate independently, so could be delivered separately.

Site location plan – click to enlarge

Emerging context

This part of the town centre has significant potential to improve both the attractiveness and vitality of the area, but also to enhance the connection between the town parts of the High Street and to improve links to the Leisure centre, Somer Centre and Town Park. Ideas for the public realm are presented in the following section of this report.

Significantly, the eastern building (British Heart Foundation) can be redeveloped within its existing plot, with the building line set back very marginally on the Excelsior Terrace frontage to establish a wider pavement.

The more substantial changes to the public realm would deliver an advantage for the Dorothy House building west of the junction. Here, the building frontage can be brought forward to the historic building line and the Excelsior Terrace frontage aligned with the Street to improve sight lines and access.

Illustrative masterplan – click to enlarge

Opportunities

Replace the existing 1960s buildings with new development which makes a more positive contribution to the character of the town with a more appropriate scale.

Provide shops at street level bringing continuity to the High Street and helping to unite the two parts either side of the junction.

Bring the Dorothy House building frontage forward to continue the historic building line, creating a better street frontage.

Step the side elevation of the British Heart Foundation building back to create a slightly wider pavement.

Provide new town centre homes above the shops supported by residents parking at the rear.

Massing model – click to enlarge