A MAJOR plan to expand to a Somerset business park - including a residential care home, restaurant and cafe facilities - has been revealed.

The scheme includes plans for a new junction off the A39 at Quarry Batch, Walton, as well the development of a new residential care home and restaurant facilities, which developers say could create more than 600 new jobs.

Commercial property specialists Greenslade Taylor Hunt are acting as joint agents alongside JLL for the proposed further development of Street Business Park, at Quarry Batch, Walton, and in Gravenchon Way, Street.

Commercial developers Canynge Bicknell have submitted an application to Mendip District Council to extend the existing Street Business Park site.

The application is a continuation of the developer’s masterplan for the enhancement of the wider business area and follows their successful and well-received development of the land behind Sainsbury’s and Lidl.

GTH says the extension will provide contemporary, multi-purpose business units and offices.

A new junction on the A39 at Quarry Batch will link through the site to Gravenchon Way, helping to ease traffic in the vicinity.

There will also be the development of designated cycle and pedestrian access through the business park.

Somerset County Gazette:

Duncan Brown, commercial partner at Greenslade Taylor Hunt, said: “We are seeing strong demand for business units across our region.

"This site presents excellent opportunities for small and growing business to benefit from purpose built units with convenient transport links.

"Combined with restaurant and café facilities, the further development of Street Business Park will do much to provide employment opportunities in the local area."

The development will benefit from a number of environmental considerations, he said, with a substantial tree planting scheme combined with ecology management, renewable energy sources aiming to make the development carbon positive, including integrated electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as generous pedestrian and cycle ways.

Mark Fitzgerald, director of Canynge Bicknell, said: “This is our latest and most ambitious planning application yet.

"We have been masterplanning it over the last 12 months, in consultation with the Planning and Highways Authorities, and it was a blessing we could continue the process safely through lockdown.

"If we get the go-ahead it could mean much needed inward investment of £40m plus and has the potential to create over 600 new jobs.”

He added: “I am convinced it will be a great and sustainable asset to the area and is at least some positive news in these challenging times.”

Canynge Bicknell already have planning consent for the next extension to Gravenchon Way, which should start in Autumn this year, shortly followed by a 23-unit business development available for occupation next year.

For further information on the opportunities available for businesses at Street Business Park, contact Duncan Brown at Greenslade Taylor Hunt on 01823 334455, duncan.brown@gth.net, or Nic Rumble at JLL on 0117 9305643, nicholas.rumble@eu.jll.com.

Somerset County Gazette: