Retained Land Development Options
SDLL will retain about 2.5 acres of land to be redeveloped for mixed employment uses based on the approved Development Brief.
A range of suitable uses were identified in the Development Brief. Suitable "core" uses for the Retained land in Class B1 include office, light industrial and research & development, and A1 - bulky goods retail e.g. garden centre or timber merchant. Secondary land uses include B8 - storage & distribution , C1 - hotels and Sui Generis - other uses.
Three options were put forward to the public during the consultation exercise showing possible ways of combining these core uses. As a result of feedback and guidance from key stakeholders it was decided to concentrate on Option 1 for the Outline Planning Application. This option allows the existing tenants of the 'Widdowson' Building to remain working on site and the principle of supporting a local employer was seen by many of the stakeholders to be important.
It is also proposed to develop new employment space under the B1 class uses (offices, research & development or light industrial) in place of the existing derelict buildings nearby the railway line. SDLL are currently consulting on the future of this unit. There are two possibilities:
- To create a 21,500 sq. ft. industrial unit which can be used to relocate local business/businesses or bring a new business into the town, or
- To create a 25,000 sq.ft. Business Centre that could provide a similar environment to an Enterprise Centre with office/workshop space for incubator units to support local higher education and business set ups. This could also provide more permanent premises where necessary.
SDLL would like to have feedback on these two options before deciding which way to go for the full planning application that is expected to be submitted later this year. To provide feedback, please go to the Contact Us section of this website.
With any development option, there will be a need to maintain vehicular access to the airfield land across the railway line and also to provide a safer route for the existing public footpath that runs through the site.
