Plans for mini business park set for go ahead after proposals redrawn up

Plans for a new mini business park in a town just outside Colchester will be given the go-ahead after the firm behind the plans changed the proposals after concerns about possible impacts on the neighbourhood. Colchester City Council's planning committee is set to agree on Paul Bartholomew's plans for the business park, which will include office space and 141 parking spaces on land to the rear of Agm House, London Road, Copford.

This application is referred to the planning committee as it has been called in by Andrew Ellis, Tory councillor Marks Tey and Layer, who said: “The proposal appears to have an overbearing impact on nearby properties, particularly those in Ford Mews. The height/mass and design might suit an urban site but have no sense of place in this more rural location. The access/egress might have been suitable for the previously approved scheme, but I’d hope they were examined closely in light of this enlarged proposal. Importantly, the incredibly broad Class E (from banks to bowling alleys) has a number of uses within it which would be totally inappropriate in this location. I would hope that any development permitted here could have conditions imposed against those inappropriate uses, including, but not only, cafes and restaurants.”

The application was previously considered by the planning committee at the meeting in July. The main area of concern raised was possible impacts to neighbouring amenities, and the plans were deferred for amendments to be sought to the parking layout on the site. The applicant submitted amended plans, with changes to the parking layout and locations of the two blocks to the west of the site.

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The council officer's report states: “Taken as a whole, it is considered that, subject to appropriate conditions, the proposal will deliver a raft of social and economic benefits and that the development is otherwise acceptable with regards to wider material planning considerations, including in terms of impacts on the character and appearance of the area, and highway safety and capacity.

"The proposal is also considered acceptable in terms of neighbouring amenities, particularly in light of the amendments made, which are considered to improve the relationship between the proposed development and neighbouring residential properties.

“In respect of the first of these, the economic role, the current proposal would provide clear economic benefits, for example, in respect of employment during the construction phase, as well as support for existing and future businesses, by providing new office premises, with an anticipated associated increase in employment opportunities in the local area. It is also reasonable to assume that an increase in people working in the area could contribute to increased spend at local retail/food and drink premises.”