News

Fears over business park expansion

By Stephen Lloyd
July 01, 2009

TRAFFIC fears have forced a town council to oppose plans for a hi-tech enterprise and data centre on land between Fleet and Farnborough.

Kenmore Land Farnborough Ltd wants to build the complex on the Cody Technology Park on the border of Hart and Rushmoor.

But Blackwater and Hawley Town Council fears the proposal will cause gridlock on the area’s already congested roads.

“Our biggest concern about this application is the amount of traffic it will generate,” said town council chairman Adrian Collett.

He warned that whatever is built at Cody Park would be in addition to what is built over the road at the former Pyestock site where controversial plans for a massive warehouse complex are being considered by the government.

“Until the future of Pyestock is resolved then we cannot look at Cody Park in isolation,” said Cllr Collett.

“Warehouse being built at Pyestock will be bad enough but to have something on top of that at Cody Park will be even worse.”

Kenmore has submitted detailed plans to Hart District Council for a development of 22 flexible light industrial units and two data centres on the 29-acre Ively Road site.

Cllr Collett said the council is happy with the data centre proposals as they generate very little traffic but is concerned about how much the light industrial units would generate.

“We’ve already got severe congestion at the Nokia roundabout so this is a massive concern,” he warned.

“Hart District Council must look at the wider traffic issues when considering this application, including the TAG proposals at Farnborough airport, Farnborough Business Park and what happens at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Church Crookham.”

Blackwater and Hawley Town Council has also objected to the Cody Park plan because of noise and light pollution.

It also warns the site is within 300 metres of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) – land protected because it is the habitat for a number of threatened bird species.

“The SPA is vitally important,” said Cllr Collett.

“We wouldn’t allow housing to be built so close to an SPA so why should we allow this?

“This proposal could easily attract feral cats, which could easily wander over to the SPA land and attack ground nesting birds.

“The developers seem to be trying to find an acceptable use for the site but it’s important that Hart considers all these issues very carefully before issuing any planning permission because once given we can’t stop it.”

Kenmore pointed out the data centres produce little traffic while being compatible with existing technology park uses.

It added the light industrial scheme will incorporate a range of unit sizes and types aimed at small businesses, hi-tech occupiers and flexible business space users.

Kenmore hopes the units will appeal to companies that provide support services to the data centres, the Ministry of Defence, Qinetiq and Farnborough Airport.

Hart officers are still considering the scheme, which is due to be discussed by the council’s planning committee at a future date.

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Of course the decision has been made. If it had been a popular decision (i.e. turned down) then it would have been announced before the recent local elections.

tj
5/07/2009 at 21:21

Cllr Collett says "Warehouse being built at Pyestock will be bad enough". No decision has been made yet. Has he given up opposing the scheme, or does he know something we don't?