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Cabinet to consider next steps to enable development of Somer Valley Enterprise Zone

An aerial view of the proposed Somer Valley Enterprise Zone with text: Cabinet to consider next steps to enable development of Somer Valley Enterprise Zone

Councillors will be asked to approve the use of statutory consents to authorise highways works to enable the development of the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone (SVEZ) at a meeting next week (14 November).

Bath & North East Somerset Council cabinet members are being asked to authorise the making, serving and publishing of a Side Roads Order (SRO) and any Traffic Regulations Orders (TROs) needed to facilitate the SVEZ.

This follows the Cabinet decision in July to enable the use of compulsory purchase powers if needed, to acquire the land and rights required to deliver the mixed-use commercial development at Old Mills, north west of Midsomer Norton, and the associated highway works.

The SVEZ comprises two distinct elements, the Enterprise Zone and the associated highways works to enable the scheme.

Cabinet has previously resolved the adoption of a Local Development Order (LDO), which sets the planning framework and acts as the planning permission for the authorised works. In addition, the SRO and TROs are required as the statutory mechanisms to change the highway network to enable the delivery of the scheme.

The use of an SRO to authorise the highway works will avoid having to use multiple highways orders and allow for a single consenting process. It will give a comprehensive overview of all the necessary highway works including: 

  • the provision of new and improved cycleway/shared use path along the A362
  • the creation of new roundabouts to provide access to the SVEZ and replace the existing A362 Thicketmead junction and improvements to the A362 including works to allow for straightening and tie in to these new roundabouts.
  • the creation of a new carriageway along a section of the A362 at Sunnyside pinch-point
  • the creation and adoption of new estate roads within the SVEZ and new private means of access through the SVEZ to neighbouring agricultural fields
  • alteration of existing access arrangements to the Old Mills Industrial Estate.

TROs will be required for any necessary changes to the use of the existing highway and new highways elements. 

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “We will consider the report before us carefully. The creation of an exemplar, net zero green business park at the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone is an important element of the new B&NES Economic Strategy. The site has been allocated for employment since 2007 and was reinforced through the Local Plan Partial Update in January 2023. The proposed uses at SVEZ could create around 1300 jobs.” 

The Somer Valley Enterprise Zone was established in April 2017 to support local businesses and to encourage business growth in the area and the creation of new jobs.

You can find out more about the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone project on the council website.

The report going before cabinet on 14 November can be viewed on the council website. You can watch the Cabinet meeting live at 6.30pm on the same web page or watch later on the council’s YouTube channel.

ENDS

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