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Nine councillors supported approval with four opposing. The application includes building new office buildings, a 3,000-seat auditorium, a training facility and solar field on green belt land between Long Ashton and Bristol over a period of several years.
The Epic development will become the new European Headquarters for the US company who leads on developing software for the health industry with a billion patients worldwide. It could create up 2,150 jobs and become the largest private employer in North Somerset, whilst bringing £140m to the economy every year.
The committee heard arguments for and against the application from members of the community, local ward members and business and college leaders.
The application was debated over several hours and committee members reviewed a ‘most detailed’ document almost 400 pages long before making their decision. Committee members remarked ‘this is the most significant planning application for North Somerset in decades’ and ‘this is the biggest opportunity I have seen us have. It’s also the hardest one.’
Planning officers recommended that the application met ‘very special circumstances’ which has enabled it to be considered being built on green belt land. This includes the economic benefit the business will bring to North Somerset and the wider UK economy.
Although the plans have been approved by the council, it will now be referred to the Secretary of State due to it being Green Belt development and an office development outside a town centre.