A FIRM looks set to be given the green light to create a business park in a village - despite some council officers saying they could not support the plan.

Aquatronic Group Management (AGM) applied to Colchester Council to construct three two-storey buildings in Copford.

Apaler Park, off London Road, will be able to house 32 businesses.

The expanding company, which manufactures water booster sets, needs extra office space and is likely to take on one of the smaller blocks.

The remaining units will be let to other businesses.

Colchester Council's planning officers have recommended the bid for approval, but the planning committee will have the final say.

The council’s landscape officer said it could not support the bid and called for an appraisal to be submitted.

The bid was also been criticised by the council’s urban design officer who argued it was not in a sustainable location and the Copford area already suffers with traffic problems.

However a report, set to go before councillors, said the traffic issues were existing and it "would not be appropriate" to address it it in application.

AGM was twice given permission to develop the site in 2012 and 2013 but these have not been carried out.

The report added: "The notion of developing the site has previously been established as acceptable via historic permissions and the principle of the proposed development is largely acceptable based upon the general acceptance of the justification provided.

"In all other regards the proposal is considered acceptable and would not result in any significant harm, subject

to the appropriate conditions.

"In broader terms, the proposed development would facilitate additional economic activity, thus generating economic and social benefits for the area."

The council's planning committee will have the final say on Thursday.