Business park takes important step forward
Following approval by Devon’s cabinet to move forward with plans for the Okehampton East Business Park, the planning application has now also been approved by West Devon Borough Council.
The planning permission includes use for office, distribution and industrial use, road and site levels.
The next stage will be to attract businesses alongside a tender process for construction works.
The 20 acre park will be located to the east of the town and aims to create a range of commercial premises and the creation of around 400 jobs.
The plan is to develop the park in two phases, the first would comprise 5 plots on the upper part of the site framing the Okehampton business centre development. The remaining steeply sloping plots to the north of the site will form a potential future development, subject to costs and market interest.
The cost of Phase 1 is around £2M and comprises the creation of levelled, serviced and landscaped plots for business uses. The County Council has reserved a further 4 acres for car parking to serve potential future railway development.
It is hoped, subject to a successful tender, that the infrastructure works would start on site this summer for completion this autumn.
Marketing information is currently being prepared and it is expected that the site will be advertised both locally and nationally in early May.
The project went through a public consultation last April where stakeholders and members of the public were invited to view the plans. The response was extremely positive with many commenting on the economic impact and business opportunities it would create.
“The development of the park is an integral part of the expansion of the area to the east of Okehampton and we hope that it will create new jobs and business opportunities. There is an encouraging level of interest from businesses wishing to occupy the site and estimates indicate that it has the potential to support over 400 jobs,” said Cabinet member for Economy and Growth, Andrew Leadbetter
Local Member for the Hatherleigh & Chagford Division, James McInnes said: “It is very important for Okehampton and its rural hinterland we have an expansion of jobs in the area. I’m very pleased this project is moving forward and it is a positive sign for the future.”
Local member for Okehampton Rural, Cllr Kevin Ball, said: “This has been a long journey for the community but I’m delighted that we’ve reached this point. I’m looking forward to local companies being given the opportunity to expand and hopefully it will attract new investment into the area.”
MP for Central Devon, Mel Stride says: “Okehampton has experienced its fair share of economic challenges over recent years and I am very pleased to see this plan take shape. By providing the infrastructure needed to help new businesses re-locate or existing ones to expand, this will provide a major boost to the town and neighbouring areas.”
To view the cabinet report, go here or to view the application, go to West Devon District Council.
