US firm set to build Somerset HQ despite concerns

A healthcare technology company from the US could build its European headquarters in North Somerset, after a council approved the plans despite strong objections.

The 90-acre technology campus for company Epic would be built across the narrow stretch of green belt between Long Ashton and Bristol.

However, the plans were controversial, with people criticising the loss of "valuable" green belt and more than 700 objections to the plans.

Long Ashton Parish Council said it felt "profound disappointment" at the decision.

Epic is a healthcare software company based in the US state of Wisconsin.

It said it would bring 2,150 high quality jobs in life sciences and £140m in gross value added to the economy per year.

Planning officers at North Somerset Council had agreed the plans were inappropriate development in the green belt — but recommended they should be approved anyway due to the major investment in the local economy.

North Somerset Council's planning committee met to decide the plans on 15 January.

Local councillor Ash Cartman said: "It's clear to me from this application that Bristol gets the jobs, Weston gets the money, and Long Ashton gets the hassle."

Planning committee member Terry Porte said: "This is the biggest opportunity I have seen us have. It's also the hardest one, there's no doubt about that."

Councillors on the planning committee voted 9-4 to approve the plans, to shouts of "shame" from the public gallery.

Although the plans have been approved, they would now need to be sent to the secretary of state, who has a chance to recall them.

Long Ashton Parish Council said: "The development will transform Long Ashton from a distinct rural community into what will effectively become a conurbation of Bristol, causing significant and irreparable harm to local heritage assets and valuable agricultural land.

"The approval contradicts overwhelming local opposition, with 96% of submissions to the Planning Portal objecting to the development.

"It also disregards formal objections from numerous statutory bodies, Bristol City Council, and other parish councils in North Somerset."

A spokesperson for Epic said: "We are pleased that North Somerset Council supports our plans for the Epic Long Ashton Campus.

"This will be a highly sustainable development that uses renewable energy sources, preserves most of the campus as open space, and improves the ecology of the area through re-naturalisation of Ashton Brook and increased biodiversity.

"It is a significant investment in North Somerset and the UK... We look forward to building a positive long-term relationship with North Somerset Council and the wider Long Ashton and North Somerset community."

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