Developer Gazeley’s ambition to build up to 530,000 sq ft of warehouse space at its G.Park Biggleswade scheme, in Bedfordshire, came a step closer with the help of local MP Alistair Burt.
For nearly two years there has been an impasse as planning could not be granted because the Highways Agency was unable to approve access to the A1, without which Central Bedfordshire Council could not give the planning permission.
Burt, MP for North East Bedfordshire, convened the meeting with the Highways Agency, Central Bedfordshire Council, the East of England Development Agency and Gazeley.
Burt said: “The government’s transport strategy somewhat unrealistically tries to ensure that no new development will make traffic worse, short or long term, but if we are to have more much needed jobs in the area we sometimes need to look ahead to future road improvements and give the go-ahead to business development now and get over temporary difficulties.
“In this case it has proved possible for the Highways Agency to relax their concerns sufficiently to allow approval to the scheme, which should enable Central Beds to give the go-ahead. This is taking place in an area already designated for such business development, which Gazeley estimates could result in some 500 new jobs.”
