Plans for new Colchester business park set to go ahead.
Colchester City Council’s planning committee is expected to agree the plans on Thursday.
Last updated 24th Jul 2024
Plans for a new business park, with four two-storey blocks for offices, just outside Colchester, are set to get the green light.
Colchester City Council’s planning committee is expected to agree the plans on Thursday.
LPB Homes is behind the plans for the business park which will also have 133 parking spaces at land to the rear of Agm House in London Road, Copford.
The council officer’s report states the plans were called in by councillor Andrew Ellis, councillor for housing and planning, after concerns about “an overbearing impact of nearby properties”, access and also the scope of the use for the proposed development.
After concerns were raised about the scope of the use, which is known as class e – and can be anything from banks to bowling alleys, the applicant agreed the council could impose a condition limiting the use of offices to carry out any operational or administrative functions.
The plans have caused concern in the community with objections from the parish council and 33 worried residents. The Parish Council had issue with the design, the size of the buildings, and that the development did not fit the character of the surrounding area. It also mentioned the increase in parking, which they said would have a significant impact on the already busy and congested London Road.
There were also objections from the residents of 33 homes locally, who also raised concerns about noise and sound pollution, loss of light to their properties and disruption to traffic. Some also said the business park was “unnecessary” noting a similar development in nearby Stanway.
The council officer’s report states: “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.
“There is also sufficient evidence to be confident that overall, the development would not cause material harm to the amenity of nearby residents, have a severe impact upon the highway network, or give rise to unacceptable harm with regards to wider material planning considerations.
“In conclusion, for the reasons outlined above and detailed in the main body of the report, it is considered that the proposed development constitutes sustainable development, the benefits of the scheme outweigh any adverse impacts identified, and the planning balance tips in favour of approval.”