Mere's brush company can relocate
Two planning applications, one for the erection of a new factory for the Hill Brush Company Limited, and the other for the re-development of the existing factory site for housing, went to Wiltshire's Strategic Planning Committee on December 10th.
Planning officers explain that the Hill Brush Company Ltd wants to provide a new state of the art factory in its home town of Mere for the efficient manufacture of its products so that it can remain competitive, and continue to grow, in a world market. To achieve this, and to ensure continuous production during the move, it requires, firstly, planning permission for the new factory on a new site; and secondly, planning permission for re-development of its existing site for housing to allow the necessary release of capital for the new factory.
The two applications were recommended for approval. The committee agreed with the recommendation and passed both applications. The new factory site was approved unanimously, but the new housing went through by a narrow majority as councillors expressed concerns about the quality of the new development and the lack of the community benefits which normally accrue from large housing allocations.
The new factory site lies within Zeals parish, close to the A303 junction. The application was supported by both Zeals and Mere parish councils. The site will include a 'brush museum' and a restaurant.
The construction of 134 houses on the old site off Woodlands Road will be in two phases - 59 in the first batch for which full planning is granted, and 75 in the second phase for which outline permission was requested at this stage, so there will have to be another application for full planning for these.