PLANS to build a new business park in Clitheroe have been given the green light.

Members of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s planning and development committee voted in favour of the proposals for the former golf driving range in Lincoln Way by a majority.

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The plan includes the erection of 21 industrial units as well as car parking spaces.

The council had received six letters from nearby residents raising concerns such as traffic, noise and loss of trees.

But in its design and access statement, applicant James Alpe Developments Ltd stated that ‘the proposed scheme will blend with existing development in the vicinity, that landscaping measures will ensure that any impact on visual amenity is minimised and that there will be no significant harm to residential amenity’.

A council officer, writing in a report for the committee, said the development will provide ‘significant employment opportunities’ and recommended it for approval.

The officer said: “The proposal is for a significant employment scheme adjacent to what can be regarded as the main industrial area of Clitheroe and would represent a logical extension to the area.

“Although the buildings will be visible I consider it to be a localised impact and given the backdrop of existing buildings to represent an acceptable impact.

“On the basis of the secured amendments I am satisfied that the development is acceptable.”

Before development can start the applicant must submit a ‘desk study’ which assesses the risk of the potential for on-site contamination and ground gases and migration of both on and off-site contamination and ground gases.

If the study identifies potential contamination and ground gases, a detailed site investigation must then be carried out to address the nature, degree and distribution of contamination and ground gases. Any issues must then be remedied. If any adverse ground conditions are found once work has started then work on the contaminated area must be stopped until plans to fix it have been agreed with the council and completed.