A PUBLIC consultation on a planned business park that could create 4,000 jobs has been branded a "waste of time".

The Nexus 25 development off Junction 25 of the M5 on the outskirts of Taunton will simply be nodded through without going before planners, a parish councillor claims.

Mike Marshall, Ruishton Parish Council vice-chairman, also believes it is a "gamble" that will create "mayhem and misery" in Henlade.

Taunton Deane Borough Council is asking people's views on a draft Local Development Order (LDO) that will automatically grant planning permission for the scheme without the need for councillors to approve it.

Mr Marshall said: "LDOs are meant for building on brownfield sites and for housing. It's inappropriate in this case as it's for a greenfield site for employment land.

"It will create mayhem and misery for people living in Henlade because as things stand there are no plans for a by pass for the village.

"They're talking of 4,000 new jobs, which could mean an extra 7,000 vehicle movements on the A358 through Henlade per 12 hours.

"The council is taking a risk saying, 'Let's put it in before the new link has been secured'. It's not something we should gamble with.

"The consultation's a waste of time because the council will just grant itself permission."

A Deane House spokeswoman said the LDO sets out the type of development permitted through the order and the requirements developers must meet.

She said Nexus 25 will be a 25-hectare 'green campus' with space for research and development, high-quality offices, light industrial units and warehouses, while there will be walkways and landscaping in line with Taunton’s garden town status.

Council deputy leader Cllr Mark Edwards said: “The Nexus 25 development represents a very significant opportunity to bring new business and investment to Taunton in an environment that supports innovation and growth.

“The site’s excellent location will mean it can attract the uses and high quality jobs essential to the future economic health of Taunton, the wider borough and its contribution to the South West’s economy.”

The draft LDO sets out the planning and design principles and other site-specific requirements intended to guide the development.

LDOs were introduced by the Government to enable local planning authorities to speed up the implementation of planned development, while ensuring environmental safeguards.

Once approved, the LDO will set out the extent and nature of the proposed development together with all the criteria and requirements that proposals must meet.

The spokesman said a planning application for work to improve Junction 25 that would provide access to the site is being considered by Somerset County Council.

The statutory consultation runs from today (Thursday) until Wednesday, August 30.

Copies of the draft LDO and other documents can be viewed at Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton, during office hours or by clicking here.

To make representations, write to Planning Policy, Growth and Development, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton TA1 1HE, email talkingtomorrows@tauntondeane.gov.uk.

Partners in the Nexus 25 proposals include the Deane, Somerset County Council, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Highways England, the Environment Agency, Summerfield Developments and Henry Boot Developments.