A trading estate to the south of Somerton town centre is set to expand after the construction of new premises was approved by the district council.

South Somerset District Council’s area north committee met recently to discuss plans for a new commercial unit at the Badgers Cross trading estate.

The plans, put forward by steel fabricator The Pitney Fabrication Company, entail the construction of a new unit with a footprint of nearly 4,000 sq. m on the former quarry site, which is already home to a stonemasonry and a training company.

District council planning officer Alex Skidmore said: “Employment land is constrained in the Somerton area and this will deliver substantial commercial space.

Somerton Town Council unanimously supported the application when it was discussed earlier this year but numerous grounds were cited by a handful of local residents who opposed it.