Gateway 14 Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mid Suffolk District Council, has appointed Jaynic as the development manager for a major new development, adjacent to junction 50 on the A14 at Stowmarket, Suffolk. The development will provide up to 2.3 million sq ft of business, logistics and commercial accommodation over the next 10-15 years, with the first buildings being available in 2021/2.
Jaynic has signed a 15-year development agreement with Gateway 14 Ltd. A planning application will be submitted by the end of 2020, to enable a phased development on the 156-acre site.
Gateway 14 will consist of a mixed-use, market facing business park for warehousing and logistics with an innovation cluster within the “space to innovate” enterprise zone. The strategic aim is to benefit the wider economic area of Mid Suffolk, especially the growth of creative and technology businesses in the area, while also maximising opportunities for inward investment, job creation and wider community benefits.
It is intended that the main infrastructure will commence by Spring 2021 so that occupation can start in early 2022.
The masterplan layout is still being developed, however the site could accommodate logistics buildings up to 1,000,000 sq ft, with roadside uses alongside the A14 frontage, and headquarters office/R&D campus style buildings.
Nic Rumsey, managing director of Jaynic, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Gateway 14. This is a key site for Stowmarket, and East Anglia as a whole. We look forward to working with Gateway 14 to attract a mix of occupiers providing a range of employment opportunities that could create thousands of jobs for the town.”
Sir Christopher Haworth, chairman of Gateway 14 said:
“This is a very significant development for Suffolk. Its position on the A14, on a key transport route, will meet the demand for warehousing and logistics in the county and provide modern workspace for smaller businesses. The development is a very exciting prospect for the area and a tribute to the entrepreneurship of Mid Suffolk District Council in backing the purchase of the land by Gateway 14 Ltd.”
Cllr Suzie Morley, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council said:
“Our ambition is to create a high-quality, mixed-use business park that provides significant warehousing facilities but also supports our plans to make Stowmarket a centre of innovation in the East of England and create a range of employment opportunities for the surrounding area.”
Cllr Gerard Brewster, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “The partnership announcement between Gateway 14 and Jaynic marks an important step for this development. It is another step forward in delivering jobs for our district and strengthening the economy of Mid Suffolk.”
The A14 corridor is one of the principal trunk routes for UK logistics offering access from the Port of Felixstowe into the heart of the UK and it is also a primary route for export to European and world markets. The site is 26 miles from the Port of Felixstowe, 12.5 miles to Ipswich and the A12, and 45 miles to M11 and links to Cambridge.
Gateway 14 Ltd was established by Mid Suffolk District Council in 2018 to acquire and deliver the development of this site in Stowmarket. Since its incorporation Gateway 14 has also acquired the Stowmarket East site.
In East Anglia, Jaynic has a strong track-record. It is currently developing the 2m sq ft Suffolk Park scheme in Bury St Edmunds where it is building a 112,000 sq ft headquarters building for Treatt and Haverhill Research Park where it is building a 35,000 sq ft Innovation Centre. Also, it was responsible for developing Cambridge Research Park and Buckingway Business Park in Cambridge, the University of Essex Knowledge Gateway in Colchester and Haverhill Business Park.
Avison Young was Gateway 14’s property adviser.
