Plans for a new employment park in Barton has been given the green light by Preston City Council.

The new centre will contain up to 38 modern employment units for local businesses, spread across six blocks on Barton Hall.

Vehicular parking with access to the site will be taken from Garstang Road.

The latest planning application by developers Midas Land Limited, seeks approval for the removal of condition 15 (BREAAM) and condition 31 (opening hours) from the original planning permission.

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On behalf of the applicant, agents Cassidy and Ashton submitted a covering letter to Preston City Council explaining the reasons for the removal.

In relation to condition 15, the agents said: “Policy 27 of the Core Strategy requires non-residential development of over 500sqm to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’ and this is reflected in the wording of condition 15.

“However, whilst it is acknowledged that the floorspace of the overall development is above this figure, the size of each unit is significantly less than this.”

“Given the small size of each unit, which would be fitted out by each individual occupier to meet their particular requirements, it would not be feasible or realistic given the financial implications, for such small units to be capable of meeting the required standard.”

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As a substitute, they suggest that a sustainability requirement could be set in place to confirm the scheme will meet the relevant building regulations standards.

The requirements of condition 31, state the opening hours of the business will be from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.

The document highlights how there isn’t any ‘genuine need’ for the ‘restricted opening hours’, as a noise survey undertaken reveals that the use would have no detrimental impact or cause harm to the nearby residential area.

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The agents said: “It is the applicant’s strong opinion that prohibiting the use of the units to these hours will drastically reduce interest in their occupation given modern requirements to provide flexible working environments.

“The site, in its current form, has no such restrictions upon it and as such the existing buildings could be split and let to individual operators on this basis.

“There are a limited number of residential properties in proximity to the site and to properly consider any impacts of the use upon these properties a noise assessment has been carried out.”

To view the latest planning application, visit the Preston City Council website.

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