New jobs on the way as Northamptonshire vet and garden centre get approval to expand

Predominantly a garden centre, the Bell Planation, located off the A5 just north of Towcester, is also home to a veterinary practice.

Currently there are 113 people employed on the site, split between the vets and the garden centre staff and the applicants hope this will grow to a combined 196 by 2021.

During a meeting of South Northamptonshire Council’s (SNC) Development Control Committee on Thursday May 19, planners gave permission for a one-and-a-half storey building for a replacement veterinary surgery and a replacement office space for the garden centre’s office staff.

Cllr Roger Clarke, SNC’s portfolio holder for planning and environment said: “We are pleased to grant permission for the expansion of this successful enterprise on the outskirts of Towcester.

“In the short term its secures the jobs of people already employed on the site and in the long term it increases the business property stock within the district, and creates the potential for more jobs.”

The application states: “The application seeks to provide a new building to accommodate the successful veterinary practice of Beech House Vets which has been in this location for some 11 years.

“The practice has grown over this time and needs further room to expand and accommodate the growing population of Towcester and the surrounding area.”

It goes on to say that part of the new building will be used by the garden centre, cafe, farm shop, and other outlets as a general administrative centre. Due to expansion of that operation, more office space is needed by them as well.