New business units approved after two-year delay

Plans for 34 new business units in Sparkford have been approved by councillors after two years of delays.

The units were originally set to be granted permission in September, but Somerset Council was forced to delay the decision after the planning officer in charge of the project left the authority.

It is hoped new jobs will be created at the site, which will sit on the A359 in Sparkford, with direct access to the A303.

The project will be for small businesses in the area to use them as starter units.

The new business units will be arranged in eight blocks on a greenfield site between the former Haynes publishing site to the north and the site of a planned development of 45 homes and a 60-bed care home.

These plans include an access road off the A359, providing the new businesses with a straight route to the A303.

National Highways’ dualling work on the section between Sparkford and Ilchester was expected to be completed by the spring of 2025.

Richard Squires, who lives near the site and sits on Sparkford Parish Council, objected to the plans when the committee convened last week

He said: "This is an ancient water meadow of historical interest, and one of the last green spaces in the village – it is a haven for wildlife.

"There are many issues with flooding in the area, and this field floods whenever there is heavy rain.

"If the field is covered with concrete and tarmac, it will create flooding issues elsewhere.

Councillor Henry Hobhouse (whose Castle Cary division includes Sparkford) reiterated his previous concerns about flooding in the village, which he made in late-September before resigning from the committee.

Despite the reservations, the committee voted to approve the plans by a margin of six votes to two.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.