A major warehouse development in Melksham will go ahead after the Secretary of State decided not to intervene in the planning process.
The development includes a large warehouse and office complex on 5.5 hectares of agricultural land south of the A365 Bath Road, owned by Gompels.
The company says the development is needed to support its growth in Melksham and would create 275 jobs.
Local residents have campaigned against the plans, raising concerns about the size of the development, its proximity to homes, traffic impacts and effects on ecology and wildlife.
Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee approved the scheme in March against officer advice. The decision was referred to the Secretary of State, who chose not to call it in for review, allowing the council’s decision to stand.
Owner Sam Gompels said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have passed the Secretary of State hurdle for our new warehouse in Melksham. This is a really significant moment for us, and we couldn’t be more excited about our future in Melksham.
“This has been a carefully considered process and we’re grateful to the committee and Secretary of State for their unanimous decision to support the development. We recognise that a development of this scale brings changes and we’re genuinely committed to minimising any visual impact and making a real positive contribution to Melksham for years to come.”
Gompels has operated in the town since 1967 and said it would have to relocate to the Midlands if planning permission was refused.
Sam said, “After nearly 60 years in Melksham, we see this as the next stage in our evolution and look forward to laying the foundations for many more years of caring for the community and providing good, stable local jobs in a family business.”
Speaking at the Wiltshire Council strategic planning committee meeting on 24th March, residents said that if approved, the development would have a “severe and unavoidable impact on homes” and was “not the right development in the right place.”
Gompels hopes to share more detail on the development in the coming weeks.
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