Businesses in the South West looking to move or expand are being given a boost with the news a £50 million business park will soon be welcoming its first occupants.
With ground works now complete at Hawke Ridge Business Park near Westbury, Wiltshire, the second phase of building development is planned to begin.
A Detailed Planning Application for four business units has been submitted to Wiltshire Council. The units vary in size from 7,500sq ft to 36,000 sq ft. with a total area of 67,500 sq ft.
Bath-based HPH Ltd, who are behind the 35-acre scheme, are moving forward with the plans, which they believe will help relieve the pressure on the industrial market which has built up over the last two years.
Property consultants Alder King revealed in their mid-year report that the amount of industrial stock available for businesses in the South West is at a 12 year low, just 4.2m sq.ft.
According to Alder King industrial take-up across the region is at its highest half year figure for five years and up 31% from the end of 2015.
Alder King, along with Bath-based Carter Jonas, are working with HPH to market Hawke Ridge Business Park.
Alison Williams, Associate Partner at Carter Jonas, believes demand is likely to increase.
She said: “Although the recent Brexit vote has caused some uncertainty in the marketplace the Wiltshire industrial market is renowned for its resilience.
“Following a significant decline of applicants immediately after the Brexit result, we are now experiencing an upturn despite the forthcoming holiday period.
“The majority of these are from well established companies wishing to expand and who have been planning a move following growth during 2014 and 2015.
“The general sentiment being that Brexit will take time to resolve as such many businesses are continuing with their plans.”
Chris Wordsworth, Development Director at HPH Ltd, said: “It is exciting to see Hawke Ridge take shape after years of planning. We are fully committed to the scheme, which we believe is pivotal in encouraging existing and future business growth in Wiltshire.
“We are already in talks with several business who are considering Hawke Ridge for their new home.”
HPH has already invested more than £2 million in the scheme. Ground works completed so far include a new roundabout, access roads, connection to mains services, landscaping, bus shelters, and new signs.
Mr Wordsworth added: “Hawke Ridge Business Park will be Wiltshire’s premier employment hub providing modern, efficient, fit-for-purpose commercial facilities with the potential to support more than 1,000 jobs.
“With the road infrastructure now fully installed, development of the site is immediately deliverable and this planning application will enable us to respond at short notice to a variety of occupier requirements.
“Whether a national company is wishing to expand or a local firm is wishing to re-locate, Hawke Ridge Business Park can provide what they need.
“Built using innovative and modern techniques, the state-of-the-art premises will help future proof businesses. The development enjoys a particularly high level of connectivity having a choice of high speed broadband providers via a range of fibre networks which enable download speeds between 70 and 300 mbs. A dedicated fibre connection would enable up to 10gbs to be provided.”
When complete, Hawke Ridge Business Park will provide more than half a million square feet of much-needed modern facilities.