A controversial plan to transform farmland into a £30m business park, bypassing the need for planning permission, has received approval from the Bath and North East Somerset Council. This move has incited substantial opposition within the local community, particularly from farming families whose land will be affected.
The proposed business park, known as the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone (SVEZ), is set to occupy a 33-acre site adjacent to Midsomer Norton’s Old Mills Batch. The ambitious development is expected to cost around £1m per acre, with funds allocated for road enhancements, infrastructure construction, as well as the improvement of cycling and walking routes to the site. Additionally, a significant upgrade to the Thicket Mead Roundabout is slated to support the park’s accessibility. Funding for these endeavors will be drawn from various grant sources secured by the council.
Despite widespread opposition, the council has unanimously granted a local development order for the SVEZ, effectively providing advanced planning permission for potential site development. However, companies intending to establish operations on the site will still be required to submit a “compliance application” demonstrating adherence to the council’s design code and masterplan.
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The business park proponents are optimistic about the economic potential this venture holds for the Somer Valley region. They anticipate the creation of approximately 1,300 local jobs, aiming to reduce the dependence on commuting for employment opportunities. The council aims to mirror the historically stable and high-quality employment once offered by defunct local employers, such as Great Mills DIY, Welton Bibby, and Purnells & Sons Printers. These closures have significantly impacted the area, leading to a decline in local job prospects.
In response to concerns within the community, Paul Roper, the council cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, emphasized the need to establish local employment opportunities, highlighting the long-term benefits to be reaped by future generations. He stressed the importance of providing the younger demographic with prospects akin to those their grandparents had, fostering aspirations and a sense of security within the local job market.
However, this initiative has triggered a clash of interests, particularly from longstanding farming families. Barry and Morag Flowers, owners of the Royal Oak Farm, voiced their distress over the potential ramifications of the business park development. They expressed anguish over the adverse effects on their family’s farming legacy and the future of their grandson, who aspires to continue the farming tradition on the land in question. Their sentiments echoed the broader sentiment of resistance from the farming community, emphasizing the detrimental impact of the business park on their livelihood and aspirations for future generations.
Despite substantial local opposition, the council is resolved to proceed with the development; negotiations with affected landowners are underway, and the potential implementation of a compulsory purchase order remains on the table.