PLANS for a major new Morrisons produce warehouse in Bridgwater, which could create 650 jobs, have finally been approved.

The plans for a 375,000sq ft food preparation and storage warehouse off Bristol Road - separate to the giant regional distribution centre Morrisons is building near the Willow Man - went back before Sedgemoor District Council's development committee yesterday.

Councillors deferred a decision last month to see if some of the neighbours' concerns about the scheme could be resolved.

But the scheme was given the go-ahead yesterday, subject to a Section 106 agreement being included.

In total, nine letters from neighbours have been sent to council planners, with the main concerns being about increased traffic and noise.

District councillor Julian Taylor also said he was “very concerned” that a proposed one-way traffic system would “mean that local residents will have large articulated vehicles passing or waiting outside their homes throughout the day and night.”

Morrisons says a one-way system is needed to address health and safety issues, and says an “acoustic fence” will be built to protect neighbours from the noise of lorries on site.

The development involves demolishing some existing buildings to make way for two gatehouses, a weighbridge gantry and canopy, an LPG store, and a 323-space car park.