JOBS will be created in a small Somerset village after plans for an HGV haulage depot were approved, writes Daniel Mumby.

Family-run haulage business Paul L. Charlton Ltd has won planning permission for the new depot at Braeside Park, near Nunney Catch roundabout, between Shepton Mallet and Frome.

Local residents expressed fears of increased noise, pollution and urbanisation of the countryside, but Somerset Council approved the plans.

Transport manager Jake Charlton told the committee site was the best opportunity to cement the business and provide employment for local drivers.

He said: “We are all dedicated to keeping this a family business.

"Me and my sister want to continue to drive this business forward and make our parents proud.

“We’re excited to offer new opportunities to people wanting to get into the industry."

Several locals spoke against the plans, arguing that the damage to the environment and quality of life outweighed the economic benefits the business would bring.

Elizabeth Bullus said: “What I don’t understand is why you’re passing planning applications on a greenfield site, full of wildlife and nature, when other brownfield sites are available."

Nick Hayes, who lives next door to the site, said: “There are hard-working families in the local area, who’ve been working hard all their life to get what they’ve had.

“It’s going to devalue their properties by at least ten or 20 per cent."

Raymond Cooper added: “The land in question has successfully produced food for years, producing food for castle and grass and hay for silage. This proposal will produce constant noise and fumes for the residents.”

Cllr Diane Francis, of Trudoxhill Parish Council, said: “We really feel this is not an appropriate place for a busy lorry park – this is farmland, and it should remain so."

A number of committee members spoke in favour of the plans.

Cllr Barry Clarke said: “The Commerce Park won’t accept them, the piece of land over the road is not available – they don’t have a lot of other options.”

Cllr Philip Ham said: "Their exciting yard is cramped, the roads are narrow – that was a horrendous place.

“This is on a main road, it’s not going through all the villages. It’s a 14-mile round trip to get to and from the quarries now, whereas from this site it’s a mile or two there and back.”