PLANS for a new building to help a business expand in Chester safeguarding jobs and creating more than £1m in investment have been approved.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee has given the green light to an application from site landlord Peter Willis, for an additional portal-frame building at Mouldsworth Hall where the Oasis Group, a document storage firm has a base.

Council planning chiefs had recommended rejecting what they described as a major development that “would cause visual harm to the intrinsic character and beauty of the open countryside”.

But Sandstone ward Councillor Hugo Deynem (Con) called the application into the planning committee on the grounds that it would bring economic benefits, create jobs and diversify agricultural land.

Permission for a document storage business to operate from the site was previously approved in 1997 as part of an agricultural diversification scheme and operates separately from Mouldsworth Hall Farm.

The site is hardstanding and currently used on an informal basis for parking, while close to open fields.

A representative for the applicant said 50 people are employed by Oasis at the location and a sister site in Northwich, both of which could have to close with jobs lost as a result if the application was refused.

Arguing the employment and economic benefits outweighed greenbelt policy, he said: “The document storage business has operated happily without any conflict with neighbours for over 25 years.

“There have been no objections to the application, with positive support from Mouldsworth Parish Council and Cllr Hugo Deynem.

“This scheme is essential to secure the long-term future of the site.

“Refusal will mean closure of this site and Wincham next year with the loss of all jobs”.

The representative described any breach of greenfield policy as ‘technical’, adding that the suggestion company could build a new facility elsewhere in the region was “impossible” and “ignored the commercial reality of the cost and timescale”.

A statement from Cllr Deynem was read out to the meeting which said it was critical to securing jobs, the local economy and there were no objections or comments against it.

Christleton and Huntington Cllr Stuart Parker (Con) spoke in favour of the development.

He said: “The economic value to the rural part of the borough should be supported as exceptional circumstances have been met.

This view was backed by Davenham Cllr Gaynor Sinar (Con) who felt there could be disruption to other businesses as a result of Oasis moved.

Also in support was Willaston and Thornton Cllr Myles Hogg (Con) who said: “I am persuaded on balance that this application should be accepted.

“It provides employment in the countryside. I can’t see it ever going back to agricultural use. In my opinion it has a very marginal effect on the open areas.”

But Lache Cllr Alex Tate (Lab) disagreed with other members, stating that such change to a greenfield site would be “irrevocable”.

“This proposal is to develop a similar large-scale facility next to the existing same size facility, however convenient to do so”, she said.

“The scale of this proposal will have considerable impact on the open countryside, the character and appearance of the area by imposing such a large-scale industrial building at this rural location – even if it’s painted green, it’s enormous.”

Winsford Cllr Stuart Bingham (Lab) disputed impact on greenbelt as the development would not be seen from the road.

Chester City and Garden Quarter Cllr Katrina Kerr (Lab) said she felt the economic argument was strong, that the community understood the “devastating impact” it would have on local and rural employment, and in the current economic climate the committee needed to take a broader view.

When put to the vote, the committee went against officer recommendations and gave approval to the plans, which will now be referred to the Secretary of State as the site is green belt.