By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a purpose-built research and development centre for electric race cars have been turned down by district planners.
The McMurtry Automotive Ltd’s proposals for the new building on land near Renishaws Roundabout in Charfield Road, Kingswood were debated by Stroud District Council this week.
The proposed building was designed to sit parallel to the B4058 with a footprint of 4,820sqm with parking planned to the south and east side for 60 cars plus three accessible spaces.
However, council officers recommended refusing the proposals due to a lack of evidence to justify its location in the countryside.
Daniel Jones, planning agent, spoke in favour of the proposals at the development control committee on July 28.
He said it was about keeping the “innovative” electric vehicle tech firm McMurtry Automotive in the Stroud district.
“It’s exactly the type of high value business the district and county should support and retain,” he said.
“This is not a speculative application. It is for a known end user with an immediate need for purpose-built research development and production facilities.”
He went on to say that the company needs certainty to invest, grow and remain in the area.
And the plans would deliver high skilled engineering jobs while supporting a successful local business.
“There is a clear locational reason for being here.,” he added. “The site adjoins Renishaw, an established centre of high technology and research offering access to world-class engineering.
“There is also a family connection, the late Sir David McMurtry founded McMurtry Automotive.”
Marilyn Basketter, vice chair of Kingswood Parish Council, said they support the officer’s recommendation for refusal but made clear they are not opposed to employment development on that site.
“We recognise the importance of creating jobs, supporting businesses and the economic benefits that this proposal could bring,” she said.
“Our concern is that approving this application in isolation would actually jeopardise the long-term employment potential of the wider suite.”
She went on to say the lack of a masterplan for the wider site is a concern and the applicant has had “more than sufficient time” to present one.
“Granting permission now could prejudice the future development of the remainder of the allocation,” she added.
“It could restrict how the site is planned and developed in the future and it could ultimately jeopardise the very business and employment opportunities that this allocation was intended to provide.”
Labour Councillor Dave Matthews (Cainscross) said it was a difficult application to consider.
But there was not sufficient justification for it being proposed at that particular location, he said.
“There’s tremendous warmth towards the McMurtry family, to David McMurtry specifically, and to Renishaw as an organisation,” he said.
“That is a major consideration in the ward and more widely in other locations around the district.
“However, it seems to me that it’s very clear that this application doesn’t comply with the things we would normally expect to see in an application.”
He went on to say the plans are for a big building in the open countryside which would be very visible from the main road and there are questions over the impact on wildlife.
“It would change quite dramatically the view of that location”, he said.
The committee voted to refuse permission in line with the officer’s recommendation by eight votes in favour with Councillor Lindsey Green (C, Berkeley Vale) voting against.
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