Archived News - October 2010
THE NEW FACES OF BRIDGWATER
20 October 2010
Hallam Land Management, the strategic land arm of the Henry Boot Group, has joined forces with Wm Morrison Supermarket PLC (Morrisons) and Barratt to invest in a major mixed use regeneration scheme in Bridgwater.
The site is the located adjacent to the M5 close to junction 23 and is marked, for those familiar with the M5, by the Willow Man feature looking out over the motorway. It includes the former British Cellophane site of Innovia Films Ltd which was long integral to the economic fortunes of the town prior to the business being closed some years ago. The site is effectively the shop window for the town of Bridgwater.
The development of North East Bridgwater site is expected to revitalise the economic fortunes and transform perceptions of the town. It represents a major first step in the implementation of the town wide "Bridgwater Challenge" initiative to unlock the potential of the town and, as such, has received widespread support in the local community and amongst the town's major stakeholders.
Advised by David Lock Associates, Hallam Land Management has now secured planning permission for up to 110,000 square metres of employment floorspace capable of providing some 2,500 jobs, a commercial services centre providing local retail opportunities, up to 2,000 new dwellings, a primary school, improvements in recreation facilities and substantial enhancements to the local transport and green infrastructure.
The proposals include detailed approval for a 75,000 square metre Morrisons Regional Distribution Centre to serve its south west network of stores and which will create some 1,000 new jobs on site alone. Wm Morrison Supermarket plc has also secured consent for a food preparation facility employing some 650 persons on the adjoining site formerly occupied by Gerber Foods. The proposals will reduce substantially the Company's vehicle miles, resulting in significant environmental benefits. The company's commitment to the town further extends to working with local agencies to make employment opportunities accessible. Construction will commence in early autumn and that the Regional Distribution Centre will be up and running by Christmas 2011.
James Brook, Development Executive at Morrisons notes: "we have for some time been anxious to establish a Distribution Centre in the south west. Bridgwater's locational advantages coupled with the positive welcome offered to the company by the local community, have been strong factors in securing our commitment to the town".
The Bridgwater proposals follow the recent completion of a similar Regional Distribution Centre by the company at Sittingbourne, Kent. The principal difference here is that the proposals form part of a wider mixed use scheme.
The planning approval also includes detailed approval for the construction of the first 400 dwellings of the 2,000 that can be accommodated on site. KickStart funding has been awarded by the Homes and Communities Agency for this first phase of development, Barratt Homes have acquired the plots which will be developed under the two brands of Barratt and David Wilson Homes.
Opportunities for further B1, B2 and B8, employment and residential phases will be offered to the market by Hallam Land Management.
Nick Duckworth Director of Hallam Land Management commented: "We are excited to be able to make this major investment in jobs and homes at Bridgwater at this particular time. We are particularly pleased to have secured the interest of such a respected company as Wm Morrison in this development. Their approach in working with us and with local stakeholders is to be applauded.
With proposals of this scale, we have needed to address a number of complex issues, and the commitment of Morrisons, Barratt, Yarlington, the HCA and Sedgemoor District Council, among many other partners, has been instrumental in levering a very significant investment which we expect to be of great benefit to Bridgwater".