THE next stages towards the development of a major business park which is expected to provide around 1,300 new jobs in Midsomer Norton is imminent.

Councillors will be asked to approve legalisation required to authorise highways works which will enable the development of the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone (SVEZ).

Bath & North East Somerset Council cabinet members will be asked to authorise a Side Roads Order (SRO) and any Traffic Regulations Orders (TROs), which are needed for the project to go ahead, on Thursday, November 14.

This follows the Cabinet decision in July to enable the use of compulsory purchase powers, if needed, to acquire the land to deliver the mixed-use commercial development at Old Mills, north west of Midsomer Norton.

The SVEZ comprises two distinct elements, the enterprise zone and the associated highways works to enable the scheme.

Cabinet has previously resolved the adoption of a Local Development Order (LDO), which sets the planning framework and acts as the planning permission for the authorised works. In addition, the SRO and TROs are required as the statutory mechanisms to change the highway network to enable the delivery of the scheme.

The use of a Special Road Order (SRO) to authorise the highway works will streamline the process by consolidating the necessary consents into one procedure. This approach eliminates the need for multiple highway orders and provides a comprehensive overview of the following works:

  • The development of a new and improved cycleway/shared-use path along the A362.
  • The creation of new roundabouts to improve access to the SVEZ, replacing the existing A362 Thicketmead junction.
  • Improvements to the A362, including straightening and tying into the new roundabouts.
  • Construction of a new carriageway at Sunnyside pinch-point along a section of the A362.
  • The creation and adoption of new estate roads within the SVEZ and new private access routes to neighbouring agricultural fields.
  • Alterations to existing access arrangements to the Old Mills Industrial Estate.

TROs will be required for any necessary changes to the use of the existing highway and new highways elements.

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “We will consider the report before us carefully. The creation of an exemplar, net zero green business park at the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone is an important element of the new B&NES Economic Strategy.

“The site has been allocated for employment since 2007 and was reinforced through the Local Plan Partial Update in January 2023. The proposed uses at SVEZ could create around 1,300 jobs.”

The Somer Valley Enterprise Zone was established in April 2017 to support local businesses and to encourage business growth in the area and the creation of new jobs.

You can find out more about the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone project https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/somer-valley-enterprise-zone-project-overview/introduction.

You can watch the Cabinet meeting live at 6.30pm on the same web page or watch later on the council’s youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/bathnescouncil.

For all other information visit the councils website at www.bathnes.gov.uk.