A new business park has been given the go ahead - despite fears over the impact it could have on two listed buildings.

East Anglian Daily Times: The listed building off Warren Lane Picture: GOOGLE MAPSThe listed building off Warren Lane Picture: GOOGLE MAPS (Image: Google Maps)

Woolpit Business Parks Ltd put in an application requesting full planning permission for two warehouses, two offices and associated storage and parking, as well as outline permission for a second phase containing a third warehouse, on greenfield land off Warren Lane.

But concerns had been expressed that two late 17th Century buildings, which are Grade II Listed, may be harmed.

Feedback from the heritage team as part of the consultation said that it would cause “a low level of less than substantial harm to a designated heritage asset because the development is of a considerable scale.”

The county’s archaeological service strongly advised a trial trench as there is “a risk that significant finds will be identified which require preservation in situ”, that would cause the development to stall.

However it said it would not object if the developers were happy with the risk.

Objections were also received from Elmswell and Woolpit parish councils over haulage traffic on the rural roads.

At Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning meeting on Wednesday, the committee heard that Bury St Edmunds-based construction materials firm Precon planned to move in, while specialist engineering company Adanac wanted to expand the firm with a unit there.

TMJ Interiors from Bildeston are lined up for the third unit.

The plans were approved at the meeting, with councillors praising the developer’s reputation as a responsible employer and highlighting the job creation of at least 30 new roles it would bring.

A series of conditions including a traffic management plan, Highways England signs, widened boundaries and restrictions of outside storage to 5m were also imposed to mitigate against traffic and listed building concerns.

Tim Baker, director of Woolpit Business Parks, said: “We are really pleased with the result and that the councillors seemed to be taking a balanced view and putting the time in to understand all sides. What we are proposing is a particularly modern style of building that this district has not seen before, but we think it is the direction of travel Mid Suffolk should be taking to stay competitive.”