A multi-million pound bid to establish a business park in Great Warley has been given the green light by a Government inspector.

The 15 acre site is currently occupied by pallet manufacturer Chep UK, but the £45 million plans could lead to the end of years of misery for residents living closeby.

Over the years residents have complained about noise, rubbish and traffic generated by the site.

Now the planning inspector has not only backed the business park plan, but, also thrown out another proposal to allow Chep UK to expand its operations on the Warley Road site.

Fiona Agassiz, from Great Warley Conservation Society, said: "We have had all sorts of problems over the years and it was vital to stop Chep expanding.

"A business park will be very different from its existing industrial use."

A spokesman for Chep Uk said: "Whilst we've worked very closely with those involved in the planning application process, we understand that the application review is now completed.

Chep UK's expansion plan was originally rejected by Brentwood councillors in January this year and then taken to appeal by site owner Salmon Harvester Properties.

The site the inspector said: "The proposal would result in a less intensive, less extensive and less intrusive form of development than what is on the site at present, which would improve this part of the green belt."

The 150,000 sq ft business park is a joint venture between Salmon Development and NFU Mutual which hopes to generate £45 million through the development.

Salmon Harvester director Doug Stewart said: "We are delighted to have secured this consent on appeal."

Warley councillor Michael Taylor said: "If the industrial pallet facility leaves the site, it won't be a day too soon for all the locals whose lives have been blighted by this activity for many years.

Published Monday November 4, 2002