Planning applications for a new employment park and motorway service station at Junction 24 of the M5 have been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council.
The applications relate to an area of approximately 85 acres of land to the East of the motorway junction, which is allocated for development in the emerging Sedgemoor Local Plan.
The proposals include over 850,000 sq ft of employment space which may provide for up to 1,200 jobs in a number of new buildings. Reflecting the variety of demand for commercial and employment space, the buildings would range from 10,000 sq ft to over 250,000 sq ft and include warehouse, light industrial and general industry space.
This would be alongside a modern, contemporary, new service area, generating approximately 70 new jobs including a brand new amenity building with a unique roof terrace area accessed by an external walkway. The rooftop terrace will be in addition to the more traditional ground floor seating, and a business-focused lounge on the first floor.
Submitted by property consultants JLL on behalf of the land owner S Notaro Land Ltd and the new motorway services operator, Euro Garages, the plans have been prepared by a consultant team including Peter Brett Associates (part of Stantec), LHC Design and ADS Architects.
The application for the overall employment park and motorway services is in outline only. A detailed reserved matters application has also been submitted at the same time for the proposed motorway service station immediately adjacent to junction 24.
Fuel pumps for cars and HGVs will be separate on different sides of the service station building, with clearly defined parking areas for cars, caravans, coaches and HGVs. Eight electric vehicle charging points will be provided as part of the proposals, to help to encourage the shift to more environmentally friendly transport.
The service station building itself will be a modern contemporary design, with an open central space lit by large glazed walls at either end. The building will be clad using a terracotta façade system which is environmentally friendly, as well as giving the building a unique appearance in service station design.
The whole employment park is to be set within a wider landscape framework, which will protect the homes in Huntworth whilst celebrating the new economic opportunities of the park, through quality landscaping and the feature service area building.
Joe Notaro of S Notaro Land Ltd said:
“Notaro Park is a really important development for us as a family business. It is literally on our doorstep and we are determined that the whole park is a legacy that the family can be rightly proud of.”
The employment park will be marketed by property consultants JLL. Giles Weir, JLL Director added “Notaro Park will meet the very great need we are seeing at the moment for good quality space in an excellent location right on the important M5 corridor. The industrial and logistics sector remains a strong performer in the market so sites such as this on busy motorway junctions are vital for growth and meeting occupiers’ requirements”.
The Motorway Service Area will form the first phase of development and provide the principal site infrastructure to enable Notaro Park to develop soon after. Phil Bartleet of Euro Garages commented:
“We are very excited by the opportunity that this new service area presents. As a company we are expanding into this market and the Junction 24 location will be a real flagship for us, helping us to bring something new to the market for the users of the M5 in the South West”.
