Approval for industrial units plan for March site

Plans for five light industrial units on a site currently used partly as a lorry yard have been granted planning permission this week.

The application for the units on the site at 38 Whittlesey Road, March, garnered support from a number of businesses across the town and neighbouring villages.

Mr S Rutterford of Elwyn Road, March had submitted the application.

A report drawn up by Fenland District Council’s planning officers explained the proposal included the demolition of the existing buildings, which were described as being in poor repair.

It explains the lorries that currently use the site for parking will be relocated to Eastwood End industrial estate in Wimblington to a yard owned by the applicant.

This says a design and access statement drawn up by Morton and Hall in support of the application will result in a reduction in the number of heavy lorries accessing the site.

It adds that because the units will be light industrial it will be mainly cars, vans, and light goods vehicles using the site.

March Town Council offered its support to the application subject to conditions around possible flooding.

There were no objections from the county’s highways team or the Environment Agency.

Letters of support were sent in from several business owners including Knowles Logistics based in Wimblington. Alex Knowles, managing director wrote: “I am writing this email as a letter of support for the above planning application. I believe this to be of commercial significance to the area.”

Fenn Holidays, located in Whittlesey Road, added their support and said: “We would like to confirm that we fully support the above application, which is situated opposite our business.

“Having been on Whittlesey Road for some 40 years, it will be very pleasing to see the site as per the planning application.”

Nigel Goude, who runs Artistic Metalica based in Thorby Avenue, March, said: “This new development will be a great enhancement and improvement to the existing old buildings.”

While, Peter Bramm, who runs the Mobility Supermarket in Marina Drive, March, added: “I think it will be a massive improvement to the existing site as it stands March desperately needs more industrial units to keep business and employment locally.”

Permission was granted for the application under officer’s delegated powers, subject to conditions.