After nearly three years of careful planning and negotiation, new business units near the A303 in Somerset have finally received approval from council planning officers. Brickcourt Ltd submitted proposals in October 2023 to build eight units at Cadbury Business Park, located off the A359 Cary Road in North Cadbury, just north of the A303 near Sparkford.
The developer navigated extensive discussions with Somerset Council, refining designs and resolving access-related concerns to meet planning requirements. With approval now granted, construction is set to begin before the end of the year.
Cadbury Business Park serves as a hub for small- and medium-sized enterprises in North Cadbury and surrounding areas, strategically positioned between the A303 and Castle Cary. The approved plan will see three new blocks constructed at the park’s southeastern edge, delivering over 3,100 square meters of employment space.
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Importantly, the existing storage yard and loading facilities will remain intact. To mitigate any environmental impact, an attenuation pond and landscaping features will be introduced to reduce local flood risks and visually soften the new development.
While the exact number of jobs the development will create is not yet known—depending on future tenants—its design and scale have been carefully tailored to the local context. Boon Brown Architects, representing Brickcourt Ltd, emphasized that the buildings' size and style complement the surrounding landscape without causing visual harm.
The plans also incorporate ample parking and amenity space to support future occupants. Extensive landscaping is planned not only to screen the new structures but also to enhance the appearance of earlier phases at Cadbury Business Park.
The council made the decision under delegated powers by planning officers rather than through the public planning committee. Senior planning officer Ian Cousins highlighted that the development aligns with the North Cadbury and Yarlington Neighbourhood Plan, which designates this location as a key employment site.
Furthermore, it supports the National Planning Policy Framework’s goal of fostering rural economic growth and job creation through sustainable development. The proposed infill between existing commercial sites is considered well-integrated, posing no significant adverse effects on the local landscape and preserving the countryside’s character.