Approval primed for 150,000 sq ft commercial scheme

A proposal for a commercial scheme of more than 150,000 sq ft in Knowsley looks set to be approved.Land bounded by East Lancashire Road, Ormskirk Road and Knowsley Lane is earmarked for the project by Caddick Developments Ltd.Proposed is the construction of three new buildings for general employment use, measuring a total floorspace of 157,500 sq ft.Also included would be a service yard, loading bays, and staff and visitor car parking. Approximately 203 parking spaces are to be provided including accessible spots and electric vehicle charging points;Internal and external cycle parking and storage infrastructure is also proposed.Planning officers have recommended in a report that members delegate authority to the assistant executive director of development and infrastructure to grant planning permission under delegated powers subject to conditions.The 16-acre application site relates to the east of Knowsley Industrial and Business Park Sustainable Urban Extension which is allocated for employment development.The report said granting planning permission would “secure a high-quality employment development on one of Knowsley allocated employment sites”.”The proposal would make a valuable contribution towards meeting the borough’s employment land needs,” it added.”The development has significant benefits to which significant weight can be attached. These include the economic benefits set out in the report such as the contribution the development will have to the local economy through the jobs and investment and the benefits derived from the Social Value Strategy.”