PLANS for a major new garage and car showroom at Cribbs Causeway have won the go ahead despite concerns over the quality its landscaping.

South Gloucestershire development chiefs last week gave the green light to an application by Sytner Properties for a new Mercedes Benz sales and servicing centre on land currently used for vehicle sales in Lysander Road.

The centre will employ around 160 staff in a building more than 200ft long and 30ft high, complete with roof top car parking.

The application was further deferred by the development control (west) committee in December after councillors agreed the plans did not pay sufficient regard to landscaping. Last week the company came back with amended plans involving increased tree planting including more native species.

However, the amendments still did not satisfy Cllr Peter Tyzack (Pilning and Severn Beach). "Without wanting to be rude, I wonder if they have been listening to us," he said.

"The main concern was the amount and depth of planting. There has been an increase but it is not sufficient. It was certainly not what I was looking for."

Cllr Jo Byron (Bradley Stoke Sherbourne) said the planting scheme was not sufficient to compensate for the green space that would be lost.

"At the moment we have a green and pleasant land and losing the greenery will turn it into an amorphous mess," she said.

Planning officers recommended consent, subject to conditions and to the firm contributing £9,000 towards a traffic regulation order and public transport improvements.

Development manager Tony Doyle said: "Officers are satisifed that the scheme is appropriate for the purpose and for the setting."

Other councillors shared that view and on a vote the scheme was approved subject to the planting of suitable tree species.