A major new electric vehicle charging hub is set to be built in Highbridge after Somerset Council approved plans for a purpose‑built facility near the busy McDonald’s restaurant just off the M5.
The development will be delivered within the Oaktree Business Park, located off the A38 Bristol Road, near Burnham-On-Sea’s Junction 22 of the M5 motorway. The business park already includes Greggs, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Howdens, Screwfix, a Ford dealership and several smaller units.
London‑based TLB Developments Ltd applied in June to construct the hub on one of the remaining vacant plots, and the council has now given the scheme the green light. Construction could start before Christmas.
The new hub will sit on the corner of Angus Way and Highland Way, close to Tarnock Garage and opposite the McDonald’s entrance. The site will be split into two sections with separate access points from the existing estate roads.
16 ultra‑rapid charging points will be installed alongside a substation and two supercharger cabinets capable of serving a wide range of electric vehicles. On Angus Way, a self‑service car wash will be created, operating on a one‑way system near the Ford garage.
A spokesperson for Enzygo Ltd, representing the applicant, said the development responds to the urgent need to expand EV infrastructure. They said the hub’s location near Junction 22 and the A38 corridor makes it ideal for both motorway users and local businesses, adding that the scheme will “enhance the attractiveness, sustainability and long‑term competitiveness of the area.”
Burnham Without Parish Council supported the plans but called for a ‘no right turn’ restriction on the business park exit to reduce congestion. “Motorists wishing to travel north can use the nearby roundabout to safely change direction,” a spokesperson said, noting similar measures at Sanders Garden Centre in Brent Knoll.
Somerset Council approved the plans through delegated powers rather than a public committee meeting. Planning officer Ellena Fletcher said the hub aligns with Local Plan policies on renewable energy and supports Somerset’s climate emergency commitments.
She described the development as a “complimentary commercial” addition that will help deliver CO₂ reductions through increased use of low‑carbon technologies.
The new hub is expected to provide modern infrastructure for employees, fleet vehicles and visitors, with landscaping and biodiversity enhancements included as part of the scheme.
