Plans for a large warehouse in Bowerhill are set to be referred to the Secretary of State for consideration after Wiltshire councillors were minded to approve the scheme against officer advice.
The proposals, by Gompels Healthcare, are for a warehouse and office complex on 5.5 hectares of agricultural land south of the A365 Bath Road. The site has faced strong opposition from local residents.
Planning officers had recommended refusal, saying earlier concerns over ecology and noise had been addressed but the development remained in the ‘wrong location.’ They warned the site lies outside the settlement boundary, negatively impact nearby homes, and conflicts with national and local planning policies.
Gompels, which has operated in the town since 1967, says the development is vital to its future in the town and would create 275 additional jobs.
The plans were discussed at a Wiltshire Council strategic planning committee meeting on Tuesday 24th March, following a previous deferral.
Three residents spoke against the plans. Dale Robinson, who lives close to the site on Bowerhill Lane, said the development would have a “severe and unavoidable impact on homes” and was “not the right development in the right place.” Simon King raised concerns about drainage and road safety, saying a building of this size would have a “huge impact on the immediate environment” and that hundreds of lorries could create a “safety issue” for the nearby Melksham Oak Community School. Cate Gwilliam, who lives 80 metres from the site at Grade II listed Old Loves Farm, said the scale and impact were “unacceptable.”
Sam and Patrick Gompels spoke in favour of the application, emphasising local jobs and economic benefits. Patrick Gompels said it “isn’t about speculative corporate development… it’s about a family business delivering 275 local jobs, sustaining growth and a stronger, healthier future for Melksham.” Sam Gompels highlighted the family’s contribution to the town, saying they had “developed a single shop into a £160 million business that employs 196 people, 90% of whom are from Melksham and surrounding towns,” and warned that refusal could force the business to relocate: “It’s your choice councillors, we would hate to leave but if the application is refused, then leave we must.”
Councillors voted nine to two against the officer recommendation, signalling their support for the development. Cllr Bridget Wayman said she “had to support the application because of the importance of this employment site in Melksham,” while Cllr Chris Brautigam said he was “not convinced” by the arguments against it. Cllr Baker noted there were “compelling arguments on both sides,” highlighting that the site is “very, very close to residential properties.”
In the meeting, officers recommendeded that the application be referred to the Secretary of State and councillors voted unanimously in favour of this. The Secretary of State will decide whether to determine the application or return it to Wiltshire Council for a decision.
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