A NEW eco business park on the outskirts of Poole that was thrown out by planners but allowed on appeal is set to create nearly 300 jobs.

Canford Renewable Energy’s original application for the site south of Magna Road and west of Wheelers Lane at Merley, was greatly reduced on appeal.

Outline planning permission was granted on appeal in August 2014 and now detailed consent is being sought from Borough of Poole.

A statement from the company said: “The original outline application sought permission for approximately 42,000 square metres of employment use.

"The Planning Inspector decided that 16,000 square metres should be granted immediately, with further employment development to be considered through the review of the Poole Core Strategy.

“The premises are being marketed to a range of industrial occupiers, appropriate for larger employers. Typically a development of this size would create around 280 jobs. Interest has been strong from a broad base of local companies wishing to expand including those in the high value engineering sector.”

Rejected by Poole planners in 2013, the original application attracted almost 230 letters of objection citing the loss of recreational space, impact on wildlife and increased traffic, among other concerns.

The reserved matters application sets out landscaping around two buildings of 8,000 sq m.

Ward councillor David Brown said: “The principle has been decided. It’s down to the detailed layouts. I’m working to ensure it minimises the impact on the neighbours around there.”

He said he hoped to get some benefits for the community including extra bus services and he was keen to ensure adequate landscaping shielded the development from the houses at Wheelers Lane. “Hopefully residents won’t be looking out at a big tin shed.”

Among residents who have registered objections to the scheme is Robert Luther of Wheelers Lane. “This proposal will evidently turn the area into a commercial operating centre causing severe environmental impact to the local community, schools, social areas and wildlife.”