After nearly three years of negotiations and design revisions, plans for new business units near the A303 in Somerset have finally been approved by council planning officers. Brickcourt Ltd submitted the proposal in October 2023 for eight new units at Cadbury Business Park, located off the A359 Cary Road in North Cadbury, just north of the A303 near Sparkford.
The developer engaged in extensive discussions with Somerset Council to address concerns, particularly related to access arrangements, and presented multiple design options throughout the process. With approval now granted, construction is expected to commence before the end of the year.
Cadbury Business Park serves as an employment hub for small and medium-sized enterprises in North Cadbury and nearby parishes. The new development will add over 3,100 square meters of commercial space across three blocks situated on the south-eastern edge of the existing site.
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Key provisions include preserving the current storage yard and loading area, alongside the creation of an attenuation pond and enhanced landscaping. These measures are designed to mitigate environmental impacts and reduce the risk of localized flooding.
While the exact number of jobs created will depend on future tenants, the project is anticipated to provide valuable economic growth for the area. Boon Brown Architects, representing the applicant, emphasized that the buildings’ size and design are thoughtfully aligned with the local context to avoid significant visual disruption.
They also highlighted the comprehensive landscaping plan, which aims to screen the new development and integrate it seamlessly with earlier phases of the business park.
Somerset Council approved the plans via delegated powers without requiring a public planning committee review. Senior planning officer Ian Cousins noted that the North Cadbury and Yarlington Neighbourhood Plan designates this site specifically for employment purposes, supporting sustainable rural economic growth in line with national policy.
He confirmed that the infill development between existing commercial sites will blend visually with the current built environment and not detract from the surrounding countryside’s character.