One of the region’s leading industrial estates looks set to be expanded after a proposal to build premises for a further 18 businesses was given the go-ahead.

Hambleton District Council’s planning committee has unanimously granted developer Adam Richardson’s scheme for 18 small to medium sized employment units, with access from Portland Way, off the 34.6-hectare Leeming Bar Industrial Estate, near Bedale.

While plans to expand parts of the industrial estate met with fierce resistance from residents of the village as the council’s Local Plan was drawn up, the meeting heard residents, planning officers and the developer had collaborated on a scheme which had attracted no objections.

The industrial estate, which is home to dozens of businesses including R&R ice cream and soft drinks firm Cawingredients, has proved popular largely as it lies immediately to the east of the A1(M), less than half a mile from Junction 51.

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The council has identified the industrial estate as having potential for expansion, with the food sector and related uses having been identified as having particular opportunities for growth.

The proposed site for the 18 small and medium sized units, which some neighbouring residents have regarded as an overgrown eyesore for years, will provide for 27,983sq ft of space with associated hardstanding, parking and access.

The units will be constructed in three blocks with units of various floorspaces from 1,252sq ft to 3,700sq ft.

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An agent for the developers told the meeting the units would form “a natural extension” to what has become one of the region’s leading industrial estates and the height of the buildings had been limited so as to not appear overbearing to residents.

She told councillors extensive landscaping and acoustic fence would provide a “buffer” from noise for residents, while service yards would be positioned at the centre of the site.

Bedale councillor John Noone said the authority’s planning officers had “gone the extra mile” to protect residents’ quality of life.

He added: “This is the right place to be putting industrial units. Leeming Bar Industrial Estate is the working end of Bedale and Aiskew.”