Planners have refused permission for an office block in the greenbelt near Pilning after hearing a supposed jobs boost would not happen because the company has ceased trading.

South Gloucestershire councillors rejected the application from Helm Construction Ltd for a two-storey building at The Nurseries in New Passage Road.

The firm had put up a partially built block at the site while operating out of a temporary building next door before it went into administration 18 months ago.

Both were unlawful because they were built without consent, and planning officers could now order their demolition after development control committee members turned down proposals for a replacement office.

Gazette Series:

Forty-five letters of support and just four objections were submitted, but councillors heard the scheme’s backing was based on a false assertion that it would create up to 50 jobs.

Principal planning enforcement officer Dawn Russell said: “It is important to clarify that the support expressed was for the business operation of Helm Construction which unfortunately went into administration 18 months ago and no longer operates.

“So the support submitted should not be reasonably taken to endorse the principle of the erection of the two-storey building.”

She said the land had permission only for agricultural use, not an office, and used to have a nursery.

Ms Russell said the partially built structure and the temporary building were unauthorised and in breach of planning control.

The officer said the proposed block would be “inappropriate development and harmful to the greenbelt” and the site had a high risk of flooding.

She said the construction company could be granted permission if they demonstrated “very special circumstances” and that the jobs boost would have “carried some weight” if it was still trading.

“But officers don’t consider the evidence outweighs the substantial combined harm,” Ms Russell said.

“The business has been in administration since December 2018 and no longer provides local employment or support for other local businesses.”

Cllr Brian Hopkinson said: “There is a lot of talk about supporting local businesses in this area but the actual planning application is totally damning on this.

“There is nothing which is right about this application.

“They have tried to build something without permission and although it was said that sticking an extra storey on it won’t make a difference, it will make a difference in that area.

“There are so many things wrong with this and I cannot support it.”

Cllr Katie Cooper said: “I am struggling to see how we can accept it.

“It should be in a town centre, not the greenbelt.

“Having unlawfully existing buildings can’t be used as a justification for new buildings, so I will definitely be refusing this.”

Cllr Mike Bell said: “Most employment would come from outside the area.

“There is no public transport coming into it so there would be more cars.

“There must be areas within Severn Beach that do not have a flood risk and I don’t think the applicant looked for other locations for the premises.”

But Cllr Ernie Brown said: “It would create job opportunities and I don’t think it’s a real impact on the greenbelt, so I could not go for refusal.”

Cllr James Arrowsmith said: “I am quite torn on this application

“I don’t think the impact on the greenbelt is particularly significant.

“Those buildings do exist and I do not think I could object to the greenbelt impact because you aren’t seeing a real physical change to the greenbelt in reality.

“I know there is a storey added but I do not think that impinges on it.”

Members voted by 6-1 to agree with officers’ recommendation and refuse permission at the remote meeting on Thursday, June 11.