Island Village To Get 'Much-Needed' New Business Space

A successful Isle of Wight manufacturing and office supply business is set to expand its distribution and storage facilities, creating 20 new jobs.

Planners have approved Betapak’s proposed industrial unit on Pritchetts Way in Rookley, described as an ‘important opportunity’ for economic regeneration and investment by its agent, Planning & Development Hub (IW).

The 20 new jobs created, including drivers, would ‘generally’ have higher than average Isle of Wight salaries, the consultancy added.

Two revisions were made to the proposal in July: three parking spaces were removed and additional grass and landscaping was added.

Planning & Development Hub said:

“Betapak is a successful manufacturing and office supply business based at Rookley which is looking to expand its storage and distribution facilities at its existing site at Pritchetts Way.

“The company is also very successful at offering business floor space to local small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to start and expand.

“SMEs remain the largest employment growth sector in the UK, and especially so on the Island.

“The proposed site consists of an underused area of land within the boundary of its main storage building.

"The land is currently used for the storage of old vehicles.

“It is overgrown and offers an opportunity to provide much-needed business space within an existing industrial park.”

County Hall’s decision report said:

“Given that the proposal would result in the creation of additional jobs on the Island, officers consider that on balance, despite an objection from Island Roads, the proposal would be acceptable in highways terms…subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

“The proposed industrial unit would be proportionate in design and scale to the surrounding buildings and would not adversely impact on the amenities of neighbouring property occupiers or the surrounding area.”

Nine conditions were attached to the approval to adhere to legislation and planning policy and in the interests of the area’s amenities, the site’s visual appearance, environmental protection and highway safety.