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Business park bid brings jobs hope
EMPLOYMENT in Wetherby could receive a major boost if a brand new business park is approved.
An outline planning application has been submitted by Wetherby Park Ltd – part of the Ogden Group, based in Boston Spa – for nearly 16,000 square metres of commercial space to the east of the existing industrial park in Sandbeck Way, Wetherby.
It includes an allowance for amenities, which might include a cafe, as well as 414 parking spaces.
The majority of the buildings would be allocated for office space or research and development, with 1,673 sq m of storage or light industrial space.
In the application, the developer states it has addressed key issues, including the need for employment, finding an appropriate site and design, offering quality commercial space and providing safe and secure access and parking.
The application states: "It is considered that in developing a scheme that addresses all these key criteria, a proposal has been created which is compatible with the site's surroundings and which generates significant benefits for Wetherby in the form of large scale local employment opportunities."
But Wetherby Business Association has questioned whether the need for a development on such a scale does actually exist in Wetherby.
Chairman Rosemary Nicholson said: "If there's a need for more commercial property and it's not obtrusive and would benefit the town by giving more employment then yes, I would have say that's great.
"But I don't know that there is necessarily a need – we've got empty shops and empty commercial areas in the town centre at the moment.
"We aren't full in terms of business growth. I would hate for a building of that size to be built and for the impact to be that we end up with people moving out there because they find it easier and cheaper to rent there than in the town centre.
"With the kind of business I'm in, I'm all for growth but I'm just so concerned about the impact it might have on the town centre."
The application, which is so far only at outline proposal stage, would require further permission to firm up the final details.
A public consultation was held in Wetherby Town Hall in November 2008 to allow local residents to view and comment on the plans.
The application states: "A total of around 15 individuals attended the evening consultation event.
"To date only two written responses have been received, both wholly supporting the principle of the development of the site for employment use, with one of the residents requesting affordable small industrial units to accommodate business who employ two/three people.
"All of the other participants expressed support for the scheme verbally."
To view or comment on the application, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/planning, call 0113 222 4409 or write to Development Enquiry Centre, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD, quoting reference 10/00279/OT.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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