Storage and distribution building at Land At (Os 0440 4108) Conference Way Vale Park, Evesham

What was proposed

Approval was sought for a storage and distribution building with offices, facilities, transport and security structures, and parking.

“Proposal: Approval of Reserved Matters for erection of storage and distribution building including ancillary offices and facilities, together with associated transport and security buildings/structures and parking (appearance, layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission 20/02385/OUT”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Tree Officer requested detailed information about tree trunks, canopies and root protection areas, while the Health and Safety Executive had no comment.

“I am content that the location of the building is outside of the Root Protection Area (RPA) of the trees from the neighbouring plantation, however, I am not clear about whether any of the trees canopies closest to the building (west end of the building) will be impacted. A plan needs to show the exact tree trunk locations, canopy and RPA.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application.

Members’ debate

Members discussed refrigeration noise, the building’s height and massing, its colour, its location and its effect on the landscape.

“Councillor E A Sims was disappointed that the application was recommended for refusal and asked if there was anything to be done to reduce the height and massing of the building. The Agent stated that the original build was higher but had been reduced but for the refrigeration units it needed to be high. He did accept that there was some visual impact but the benefits outweighed the harm.”

“The Local Member, Councillor E J Kearsey, thanked the Planning Officer for her visuals and wanted to reinforce how sensitive the site was. It was in Vale Park on the edge of Evesham where you then have completely flat land at the foothills of the AONB and Bredon Hill. She stated that employment was welcomed but not with a building of this size in such a sensitive area. It would bring jobs but would be a blot on the landscape.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

A refusal recommendation was supported, and a separate proposal to defer the application was put forward before the committee resolved to refuse it.

“A proposal from Councillor C G J Tucker was put forward to defer the application for further consideration which was seconded by Councillor A I Hardman.”

“To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to refuse the application in accordance with the refusal reasons below but to allow for the last comments date of 31.07.26 to expire.”

Minutes

Why permission was refused

The committee found harmful landscape effects from the building’s scale and height, insufficient tree information and insufficient external-lighting information.

“The proposed development, by virtue of its incongruous and significant height and large scale, combined with its location to the edge of Vale Park, adjacent to open countryside and within the setting of the Cotswold National Landscape, would represent a harmful and visually intrusive addition to the local and wider landscape, resulting in long-term adverse visual effects with the building being permanently visible above tree canopies and mitigation planting.”

“In the absence of sufficient information on external lighting, it has not demonstrated that the proposal would contribute to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and safeguard the visual amenity of the area, given the site’s location, adjacent to open countryside.”

Minutes