US firm set to build Somerset HQ despite concerns

A US-based medical technology company plans to establish its European headquarters in North Somerset, a plan that has been approved by the local council despite strong opposition. The company, named Epic, intends to build a 90-acre technology park on a narrow strip of green belt land between Long Ashton and Bristol.

However, the plan has sparked controversy, with critics lamenting the loss of "valuable" green belt land and over 700 objections being lodged. Long Ashton Parish Council has stated that they are "extremely disappointed" by the decision. Epic is a medical software company headquartered in Wisconsin, USA.

Epic states that the project will bring 2,150 high-quality jobs in the life sciences sector and add £140 million in gross value added to the local economy annually. Planning officers at North Somerset Council acknowledged that the plan was inappropriate development in the green belt, but still recommended approval given its significant investment in the local economy.

The planning committee of North Somerset Council met on January 15th to decide on the plan. Local councillor Ash Cartman stated, “From this application, it is clear to me that Bristol gets the jobs, Weston gets the money and Long Ashton gets the hassle.” Planning committee member Terry Porter, on the other hand, believed, “This is the biggest opportunity we have ever seen and undoubtedly the most difficult.”

The planning committee approved the plan with 9 votes in favor and 4 against, prompting shouts of "shameful" from the public gallery. While the plan has been approved, it now needs to be submitted to the Secretary of State, who has the opportunity to retract it. Long Ashton Parish Council stated that the development would transform Long Ashton from a distinct rural community into a de facto built-up area of Bristol, causing significant and irreparable damage to local heritage assets and valuable agricultural land. They also pointed out that 96% of the comments submitted to the planning portal were against the development, and that the approval ignored 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 has supported our plans for a campus in Long Ashton. This will be a highly sustainable development, using renewable energy, retaining the majority of the site as open space, and improving the ecology of the area through the restoration of Ashton Brook and increased biodiversity. This 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.”