by Local Democracy reporter Daniel Mumby.

DOZENS of new jobs could soon be created near a major Somerset housing development after plans to expand a business park were approved.

Planners have given the go-ahead for a development at the Westpark 26 employment area at Chelston, off Junction 26 of the M5 and on the A38 linking the town to Taunton.

Exeter-based Burrington Estates applied in early-2022 to extend the business park to the west with 56 new employment units, close to the Jurston Fields housing development which is currently under construction.

Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) has now given the green light to the plans, with the new units expected to be delivered over the coming year.

Westpark 26 currently contains large numbers of industrial units as well as a petrol station, a second-hand car dealership, a pub, a Costa Coffee outlet, a McDonald’s restaurant and a recently-delivered Toolstation branch.

The expansion area is west of the WJ South West building at the end of the existing access road.

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 the former 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.

Plans for phase three of the development, comprising 190 homes, were approved by SWT in July 2020, but its delivery is being held up as the result of a planning inquiry into phosphate mitigation which is expected to report before Christmas.

In addition to expanding at its western edge, Westpark will soon expand north onto the former Chelston House Farm site after separate plans were approved in July, with a secondary access from the B3187 Taunton Road being retained.