Plans to demolish a number of old industrial buildings to make way for "modern" replacements have been given the green light by North Herts Council.

JPR Services Limited has been given planning permission for the works at Wilbury Way, which will see two "flexible" buildings built.

The site is currently home to several offices, manufacturing and storage buildings, but will be cleared to make space for the new development.

"The development would involve the demolition of the existing commercial buildings, which are coming to the end of their useful life and would require significant works to bring them up to modern building regulation standards," the application explained. 

"They are thermally inefficient, and have an inflexible layout which limits their appeal to modern businesses. 

"They also comprise a mix of styles and materials, and their appearance does not make any positive contribution to the character of the local area."

The application site (image via planning application)

Plans showed the replacement units would have moveable internal partitions to "meet the needs of a wide range of businesses".

Signing off on the plans, a council report said: "The design, siting, and appearance of the proposed development is considered appropriate to the locality. 

"Whilst on the edge of the employment area, the development would not result in unacceptable harm to the locality by reason of its high quality design, appropriate materials, and siting. 

"Considering the existing development on site, the design of the development and associated works, including landscaping, would result in an improvement to the appearance of the street scene."

See the full plans here.

The current view of the site (image by planning application)