THE first building planned for a new business park has been branded a cheap-looking, big shed. The design of the 40ft foot high factory at Hersden, near Canterbury, has left councillors and residents distinctly unimpressed.

The unit will be the first to go up on the Lakesview International Business Park off Island Road which is owned by George Wilson Developments. It will be occupied by Claremont and May which produces pot pourri and is relocating its business from Whitstable.

It is hoped the development of the business park will bring new employment to the Hersden area. But both Chislet and Westbere parish councils have complained about the scale and design of the first building which they say is uninspiring and overwhelming. At a meeting of the city council's development control sub-committee this week, members agreed the building was an eyesore - but still granted approval. Cllr Peter Wales said: "It certainly is outstandingly ugly but we cannot afford to delay this project because new jobs are desperately needed in the area." Cllr Harry Cragg said: "The first building was always going to be an eyesore but we must not hold this project up."

But Cllr Ron Pepper said: "We shouldn't have to settle for something second rate. It is just a cheap, big shed. We should push for a better design more in keeping with the vision we had for this site."