Alder King - Offices Development - Weston-super-Mare, New Business Park Will Create 5,000 Jobs

Date: 06 Aug 2007

A planning application to build a business park of more than one million sq ft on Weston Airfield has been submitted to North Somerset District Council.

The application was submitted by Persimmon Special Projects with the support of specialist business park developers Terrace Hill.

Persimmon Special Projects Director, Paul Davis says the 30 hectare business campus will attract up to 5,000 jobs and help reverse the tide of commuter traffic which exits the town each morning.

Mr Davis commented: "There have been many false dawns in the past about the future development of the airfield.

"This application is a clear statement of our commitment to making Weston-super-Mare a key employment location along the M4/M5 corridor."

Grant Watson, Chairman of property consultants Alder King said news of the development has already attracted significant attention from regional and national businesses.

Mr Watson said: "We haven't started to formally market the park, but we are already in advanced discussions with a number of high calibre office occupiers who are seeking new headquarters.

"We have also received interest from a number of national hotel chain operators.

"This development is in a fantastic location with great motorway links. We are not exaggerating when we say it could be the fastest-moving business park in the South West."

The business campus will be known as Weston Park and is the first step in a regeneration package that will include a new road crossing the airfield, linking the motorway with a refurbished light industrial park off Winterstoke Road.

The town is also set to benefit from a strategic employment agreement between North Somerset Council, Persimmon SWRDA and English Partnerships. Terrace Hill will concentrate on attracting office occupiers and associated leisure operators to the airfield and English Partnerships and SWRDA will focus on bringing hi-tech research based companies to its science and education campus on the former RAF Locking site.

"It's a win-win situation for Weston", said Mr Davis. "We hope the application will be dealt with within 13 weeks so that we will be in a position to welcome our first occupiers as soon as possible."

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