A HUGE business park on the outskirts of Taunton could be built without the normal planning permissions, setting what is believed to be a first in this country and sparking controversy locally.

Backers believe Nexus 25, off Junction 25 of the M5, would attract research and development firms into quality offices alongside light industrial units, creating more than 3,000 jobs.

Taunton Deane Borough Council wants to use a Local Development Order (LDO) to speed up the planning process, while still ensuring environmental safeguards.

As well as giving the council greater control, it also increases the likelihood of development being achieved.

The Conservative-run council has held two consultations on the LDO and responses will be considered by its community scrutiny committee on Tuesday ahead of a full council decision next month.

The order could not be implemented until proposed improvements to J25, which has attracted Local Economic Partnership funding, are confirmed.

LibDem Cllr Jefferson Horsley said he does not oppose LDOs, but he feels it is not justified in this case.

He said: "Nexus is an inappropriate site for the use of an LDO.

"LDOs are supposed to be used for sites which councils own themselves as a means of speeding up the process.

"This is a precedent and will be followed nationally. As far as we know, this is the first time an LDO has been used on non-council owned land.

"It will have widespread implications on a national scale."

Cllr Roger Habgood, executive member for planning policy at Deane House, said: "LDOs were introduced by the Government to enable local planning authorities such as Taunton Deane to speed up the implementation of planned development, while ensuring that all the usual safeguards are applied.

"Once approved by the council, the LDO will set out the extent and nature of the proposed development together with all the criteria and requirements that proposals must meet to satisfy the terms of the order.

"Developers must demonstrate to the council that their proposals satisfy the requirements of the LDO before they can proceed. In essence, it gives us far greater control at an earlier stage."

Council leader Cllr John Williams said: "We're committed to provide the high quality, long-term jobs that our economy needs.

"Taunton is growing and it is essential we deliver a balanced economy of housing, jobs and leisure tog with improved infrastructure to match."