Work has started on a controversial new business park at the ‘gateway’ to Ashburton.

Construction vehicles have arrived to start developing the Dolbeare Meadow Business Park. The site, located just off the A38, will include commercial units, a convenience store, an EV charge park and a drive-thru café.

Diggers and sign at Dolbeare Meadow Ashburton
Work has started at Dolbeare Meadow Ashburton (Jo Bowery / MDA)

While local traders have welcomed plans for additional business units they campaigned heavily against the inclusion of a drive-thru café, which will be run by a national chain - believed to be Starbucks. Local business owners believe having a national chain cafe at the site will negatively impact independent hospitality traders in the town centre.

However, planners at Dartmoor National Park Authority decided that the café would provide an ‘alternative offering’ that would be ‘unlikely’ to impact town centre cafes.

Plans for Dolbeare Meadow Business Park set for site visit
Plans for Dolbeare Meadow Business Park set for site visit (MDA Monk and Partners )

The Dolbeare Meadow project is expected to generate £760,000 for the local economy and create 36 full time jobs while regenerating a site that has been vacant for many years.