THE owner of a Ferndown business has submitted plans to redevelop land on the edge of a nearby village into a new “industrial estate”, complete with church, care home and community hall.

“Frustrated” by previous expansion attempts, Breathe Safety boss Nick Aris has bought the field at the end of Blackfield Lane in West Moors with the aim of building a new base for his business.

Alongside the 7000m2 facility, his application also proposes the construction of eight “small” commercial buildings, a church, a community hall and a 60-bed care home.

The five-acre site is allocated in the East Dorset core strategy as being suitable for non-residential development.

Having bought the site – except for the access which is owned by Persimmon Homes – Mr Aris is now seeking permission to build a new facility for his Ferndown Industrial Estate-based safety firm.

“The company has outgrown its current property and has been frustrated in previous attempts to expand or acquire larger premises,” a statement submitted with his application says.

“Mr Aris has purchased the application site with a view to providing the company with its own permanent site.

“The applicant is keen that his company should remain based locally both for reputation and to minimise any disruption to their staff.”

The application proposes splitting the site into four sections – one for the new base for the firm; the second for eight smaller commercial units; and the remaining two for a care home, church and community hall.

It says the latter three areas will be offered out to other developers to pursue should permission be granted.

Despite only being submitted earlier this month, the application has already attracted several objections from people living nearby.

Bob Garton, who lives in Denewood Copse, said the area was “ringed” with industrial estates and did not need another.

“The applicant says that his business has outgrown its present site – that may well be the case – but it defies belief that suitable premises cannot be found on an existing estate,” he said.

He also questioned the need for the church and hall and said the development would “worsen” traffic problems in the area.

The application has been submitted in outline form meaning, should it be approved, that more detailed designs will have to be put forward before any construction work can start.

Planning officers at Dorset Council will consider the application in the coming weeks.