PEOPLE buying new homes on the southern edge of Wellington could soon find themselves even closer to a local business park after expansion plans were submitted.

Developer C. G. Fry and housing association LiveWest are currently constructing the Jurston Fields estate, which will eventually comprise 650 homes north of the A38 West Buckland Road.

The development lies a short distance from Westpark 26, a major employment site for the town containing large numbers of industrial units as well as a petrol station, a second-hand car dealership, a pub, a Costa Coffee outlet and a McDonald’s restaurant.

Exeter-based Burrington Estates has now applied to build 56 new business units at the western edge of the Westpark site – reducing the amount of empty space between the business park and the new homes.

Somerset County Gazette: Plans For 56 New Industrial Units On The Westpark 26 Employment Site In Wellington. CREDIT: Expedite. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

The site lies immediately to the west of the WJ South West building at the end of the existing access road, which connects Westpark 26 to the A38 and ultimately Junction 26 of the M5 via the “concrete carriageway”.

A spokesman for Expedite (representing the applicant) said: “The proposed development will enhance the character and appearance of the local area, while respecting the amenity of neighbouring residential and commercial properties.

“The scheme will bring a complementary, fresh and exciting architectural style, which is based upon good design principles and materials. The design of all the elements of the scheme will aspire to use energy-saving and efficient design techniques, materials and crisp detailing.

“The site is a highly accessible location for industrial units and therefore the proposed development of 56 industrial or commercial units on this business park is considered to be sustainable in this respect.”

Under the outline plans for the Jurston Fields site, which was granted by Taunton Deane Borough Council in December 2015, a small section of woodland will be provided between Westpark and the new primary school and homes built at the eastern edge of the site, with a footpath between the two being created.

Somerset County Gazette: Entrance To The Jurston Fields Development On The A38 West Buckland Road In Wellington. CREDIT: Daniel Mumby. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

Phases one and two of the development are currently well advanced, with LiveWest revealing in August 2021 it would be providing 50 affordable homes as part of phase two.

Plans for phase three of the development, comprising 190 homes, were approved by Somerset West and Taunton Council in July 2020.

In addition to expanding at its western edge, Westpark could also expand north onto the former Chelston House Farm site, with a secondary access from the B3187 Taunton Road being retained.

The council is expected to make a ruling on both expansion proposals in the late-spring.

Somerset County Gazette: Outline Masterplan For The Jurston Fields Development, Showing Green Buffer Between The New Homes And Westpark 26. CREDIT: ESHA Architects. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.