Could Topsham business park expand?

It could create 25 new jobs

Councillors are being asked to back plans to build six new units at the business park opposite Darts Farm near Topsham to be used for offices, light industry and storage and distribution

It could create between 20 to 25 new jobs and the economic benefits to the local and wider community are considered to weigh heavily in favour of the proposal, which will be considered on Monday by East Devon councillors. Despite the plan being contrary to the Clyst St George neighbourhood plan because of the removal of woodland, the parish council supports the application.

A previous and larger scheme for ten units that would have doubled the new jobs was rejected last year. The site forms part of woodland, much of which will need to be removed, but planners recommend the scheme be backed. A report for councillors says: “The current proposal has been substantially reduced from that previously considered, and this application has addressed previous technical concerns.

“Visually the proposed development would be seen against the backdrop of existing trees, and the landscape impact would be acceptable, particularly given some other landscape enhancements to the site and woodland edge proposed. There is no objection to the visual impact, loss of trees or wider impacts from the landscape officer or parish council.

Recommending approval, the report concludes: “The site is well related to the existing business park and there are significant benefits in terms of job creation and economic growth associated with the proposal which weigh heavily in favour of the proposal, and the visual impact is considered to be localised and not highly detrimental.

“The loss of trees within the plantation, does not result in a level of harm that outweighs the economic benefits and the creation of a significant number of new jobs resulting from the proposal, particularly given the location and characteristics of the site.”