PLANS to build a brand new service station and large employment park at J24 of the M5 are facing a lot of opposition after being submitted last month.

The applications relate to an area of 85 acres of land to the east of the motorway junction, which is allocated for development in the emerging Sedgemoor Local Plan.

Notaro Park would include more than 850,000 sq ft of employment space which the developers say may provide for up to 1,200 jobs in a number of new buildings.

This would be alongside a modern new service area, generating approximately 70 new jobs including a brand new amenity building with a unique roof terrace area accessed by an external walkway.

However since the proposals were submitted objections have come in from North Petherton Town Council, the Parrett Internal Drainage Board, the County Councillor for the area, and a number of Huntworth residents.

The town council objects on the grounds the local infrastructure is ‘already inadequate and cannot support the development’, the plans are ‘not in keeping with the street scene around Huntworth’ and it will have an ‘unacceptable impact on local residents’.

County councillor Bill Revans adds that ‘large industrial size warehouses will be based next to listed buildings ‘and says prime agricultural land will be lost’.

Sedgemoor District Council economic officer Vicky Banham is in favour of the development, saying “We are pleased to see the emphasis on quality in the design as we believe it is important both for attracting the businesses we wish to see here and in projecting a positive image to those passing or entering the town.

“A distinctive, modern motorway service area and sensitive landscaping will give a positive impression of a District that welcomes visitors and values its setting.”

She does say that given the scale of the proposal, Sedgemoor District Council would require a local labour agreement for the constructions of the buildings and the operational phases of the development.

The Parrett Internal Drainage Board however objects to the employment park plans saying 'the flow rates are unacceptable ... and will cause flooding downstream', as well as citing concerns over the discharge location and effect on water quality.

On Huntworth resident, Gavin Houlgate points out that in the application's environmental report the developers admit that less jobs may go to local residents than the 'headline' figure.

It states: "The proposed development would generate or support approximately 705 net additional jobs on a permanent basis.

"While the operational phase of the proposed development could support approximately 1,000 jobs, the situation of the site adjacent to the motorway means workers are likely to be drawn from across a 60-minute drive catchment area.

"Therefore while the applicant will encourage the take-up of new employment by local residents; the number of local residents employed is likely to be substantially lower than the headline 705 jobs created."