Business park plans supported

AN APPLICATION to create a Kenn business park in stages has been recommended for approval despite fierce opposition from the parish council.

Development company, St Modwen, has taken over land in Kenn that was given permission for a business park more than two years ago.

Due to the current market conditions, the company has applied to change some of the conditions attached to the permission to allow units to be built at the Kenn Road site as and when occupiers agree to take them on, rather than all in one go.

This would allow units to be built to the occupiers’ requirements and make the park more attractive to potential tenants.

However, Kenn Parish Council has strongly objected to the application quoting the fact that other business parks in the area have already been left incomplete, resulting in the roads not being adopted and no management committees being formed to ensure the sites are maintained.

Despite this, in a report written for Thursday’s meeting of North Somerset Council’s central area planning committee, planning officers have recommended the application should be approved.

The report says: “It is considered that the comprehensive development of the site under a single phase would potentially give rise to a uniformed development that lacks visual interest and scope to attract future unit occupiers.

“It is considered that the benefits of bringing forward the development of the site, through a phased development, far outweighs the short term concerns the parish council has expressed.”