Council Rejects Business Site Proposal Expected to Create 500 Jobs

A developer stated that proposals for a business site, which were turned down by a council, had been unfairly associated with other comparable applications in the vicinity. Alban Mann LLP had submitted a masterplan for fields situated close to the Bell Plantation garden centre in Towcester, Northamptonshire. This plan encompassed over twelve small to medium-sized structures, projected to create approximately 500 full-time employment opportunities. However, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) rejected a plea to postpone the application, citing worries that it could prejudice an appeal concerning a DHL warehouse development located nearby. Jason Tait, the spokesperson for the applicant, asserted: “We are massively different. This is a completely different scheme.” Furthermore, six local parish and town councils lodged objections, alongside 70 letters of objection received from members of the public. Chris Bowmer, a Greens Norton parish councillor, voiced his opposition to the business site proposal, stating: “I cannot tell you how angry I am.” He further explained, “The reason we’re here is because of the cumulative impact of the traffic and the impact on our village.” Months prior, logistics firm DHL had sought permission to construct a 32-hectare employment site directly adjacent to the Bell Plantation proposals, but its application was denied due to concerns regarding traffic impact and visual amenities. Councillors contended that the two sets of plans were inherently connected, and a decision on the smaller site might influence the DHL planning inquiry scheduled for February. The application from Alban Mann LLP, which had been under development for two years, had received a recommendation for approval from the council’s strategic planning board on November 19. Nevertheless, local highways authorities expressed concerns about “severe cumulative impacts” on the road network in the future, should all proposed employment sites receive approval. Ward councillor Maggie Clubley commented that worries regarding the height and size of the buildings suggested they “will change Towcester from a sleepy historic market town into warehouse and big logistics hub which is not what is required”. Mr. Tait further stated: “This application should be a straightforward proposal. “What we seem to be doing is getting this application tarred with the brush of DHL. “Don’t throw the good site out because of the cumulative impact of something that’s bad.” The committee ultimately voted to reject the employment site plans, citing the cumulative traffic impacts projected by 2031, along with concerns about the sighting, scale, and mixture of the proposed buildings. For news from Northamptonshire, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.