Business expansion bid approved in principle
staff at torr scientific, bexhill
A LOCAL company, which has seen its business double since moving to Bexhill, has been granted outline planning permission to expand its premises on the edge of a proposed Countryside Park.
Torr Scientific Ltd, sited at Pebsham Rural Business Park, Pebsham Farm, manufacture small, specialist, high value scientific products which are sold to ‘Blue Chip’ companies in UK, Europe, Japan and the USA.
Since moving to Bexhill from Hove three years ago, and despite the downward trend of the economic climate, the company has flourished with sales increasing from £500,000 to approximately £1 million, and quadrupled its work force from five to 20 members of staff.
Torr Scientific applied to Rother District Council’s (RDC) planning department, to expand its premises with an additional B1 classified industrial unit, parking and additional works, which the company say will allow their current and future development projects to go ahead, provide the services for the growing demand over the next five years, and expect to increase their work force to 30 by 2015.
Torr’s premises border on the edge of the proposed Countryside Park (intended to be developed for recreational activities and nature conservation) and say their scheme has been carefully planned with provision for a wide landscaping belt around the west and northern perimeter of the site.
An ecological appraisal was undertaken to ensure that the development can be achieved without damage to any ecological interests.
The company contend that their proposals directly accord with important strategic and local objectives by way of fostering economic growth in the district and providing important training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Torr concluded that without the proposed extension it is at serious risk of not being able to continue to operate at either Pebsham Farm or Bexhill.
Granting outline planning permission for the proposed expansions, RDC planning officers took into consideration concerns that had been expressed with regard to local residents by affecting their privacy, additional noise and increased lighting.
It was considered that neither the building nor rear car parking would substantially harm residential amenity. It was agreed that the economic and employment benefits of supporting the growth of Torr Scientific are considered to be exceptional circumstances, and given the layout and scale of the proposed extension justifies development in the designated Country Park.
However, before the proposed development can commence approval by RDC’s planning department of the building’s appearance and landscaping will be required.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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