Hallam has joined forces with supermarket giant Morrisons and Barratt Developments on the North East Bridgwater scheme.

The firm has secured planning permission for up to 110,000 sq mtrs of floorspace capable of providing 2,500 jobs, a commercial services centre providing local retail opportunities, up to 2,000 new homes, a primary school, improvements in recreation facilities and substantial enhancements to the local transport and green infrastructure.

Proposals include  a 75,000 sq mtr Morrisons regional distribution centre to serve its south west network of stores and which will create some 1,000 new jobs on site.

Morrisons has also secured consent for a food preparation facility employing 650 people on an adjoining site formerly occupied by Gerber Foods.

Construction will commence shortly and the distribution centre will be up and running by Christmas 2011.

James Brook, Development Executive at Morrisons, said: “We have for some time been anxious to establish a distribution centre in the South West.  The advantages of Bridgwater’s location, coupled with the positive welcome offered to the company by the local community, have been strong factors in securing our commitment to the town.”

The planning permission, granted by Sedgemoor District Council, also includes detailed approval for the construction of the first 400 of the 2,000 homes that can be accommodated on the site.

Kickstart funding has been awarded by the Homes and Communities Agency for this first phase of development and David Wilson Homes have acquired the plots.

Opportunities for further B1, B2 and B8, employment and residential phases will be offered to the market by Hallam Land Management in due course.

Nick Duckworth, Director of Hallam Land Management, said: “We are excited to be able to make this major investment in jobs and homes at Bridgwater at this particular time.

“We are particularly pleased to have secured the interest of such a respected company as Morrisons in this development. Its approach in working with us and with local stakeholders is to be applauded.

“With proposals on this scale, we have needed to address a number of complex issues, and the commitment of Morrisons, David Wilson Homes, the Homes and Communities Agency and Sedgemoor District Council, among many other parties, has been instrumental in levering a very significant investment which we expect to be of great benefit to Bridgwater.”