Green light for car dealership despite safety fears

The former Nokia building is set to be turned into a car dealership

An office block is set to be turned into a car dealership, despite local efforts to stall plans.

Eighteen members of the public asked local politicians to put the brakes on the development in Milton, near Cambridge, citing safety issues.

Grainge Motors, the applicant, insisted any changes to the building would be "modest" and wouldn't "harm the character of the location".

South Cambridgeshire District Council sided with Grainge Motors, saying the development could take place because it "would not result in any significantly harmful impacts."

Plans for the new Kia dealership on Ely Road hit a bump after local people raised concerns about safety, privacy and pollution, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In one submission from a member of the public, councillors were told the development would lead to "noise and light pollution, hazardous substances, increased vehicle movements [and] loss of privacy."

Another objector said: "Car transporters are usually 10m long and carry between eight and 10 vehicles. Ely Road does not have sufficient width to safely accommodate this size of lorry."

Grainge Motors insisted their plans would benefit the local economy, adding it would improve the range of shops and services available for people in Milton.

The plans were approved by South Cambridgeshire District Council, subject to certain conditions, including a "car parking management plan" and a "limit on the size of transporters coming to the dealership."