Optimis secures consent for the retention and expansion of a Commercial Business

Optimis is delighted to have secured consent for the “Demolition of existing buildings/structures, retention of the pallet operation and ancillary buildings on site (retrospective)” on a site in Central Bedfordshire. Following the refusal of the previous scheme, this revised application also incorporated the expansion of the businesses’ operation to include further land to the south, which will facilitate the required parking for vehicles.

The site is located to the south of Hockliffe and within the Green Belt. Despite Officer recommendation for refusal, Members of the Development Management Committee overturned this recommendation and approved consent at their meeting at the end of April.

Optimis argued that the site was suitable for the retention of this well-established and growing pallet business, supporting the rural economy and retaining a significant number of local jobs, which presented compelling Very Special Circumstances and was in line with the objectives on building a strong/competitive (rural) economy, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. Being located on the A5 and close to the M1 allows vehicles to efficiently use the primary road network within the area and as such, the site was also considered to be a logistically appropriate location.


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