Mid Suffolk District Council has resolved to grant planning consent for the 2.45m sq ft Innovation, Business and Logistics Gateway 14 scheme in Stowmarket, Suffolk, adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14 that will bring thousands of jobs to the town.
The resolution for the hybrid planning-consent is subject to finalising the planning conditions and the Section 106 agreement. It comprises details for access, infrastructure and landscaping and the indicative masterplan shows a sample layout for 2.45m sq ft of buildings.
The park will deliver a range of opportunities for occupiers. New facilities will be available on a bespoke and speculative basis making it the ideal location for office, R&D, logistics and manufacturing users. The mixed-use park will comprise high-specification space, with potential to build E(g), B2 and B8 units.
It will have the benefit of on-site and local amenities and will also provide access to a strong local and regional labour pool.
Gateway 14 is a development by Gateway 14 Ltd (wholly owned by Mid Suffolk District Council) and Jaynic that has a strong track record of implementing infrastructure and delivering high quality business and logistics parks on a speculative and bespoke basis in the East Anglian region.
Ben Oughton, development director for Jaynic, said: “This is tremendous news for Stowmarket and the region. Gateway 14, with its Freeport designation and proximity to Felixstowe, has already attracted significant interest from potential occupiers.
Sir Christopher Haworth, Chairman of Gateway 14 Ltd said: “As we meet this important milestone, I am delighted that we can move forward with this development, bringing new businesses, employers and jobs to the region.”
Councillor Suzie Morley, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council commented: “Gateway 14 will deliver a significant economic boost for Stowmarket and the wider Mid Suffolk region. The site will allow the creation of a range of jobs as well as space for new businesses helping to build a place where people are proud to live and work.”
Jaynic will be appointing contractors to go on site in the coming months to construct the estate road infrastructure, services and landscaping. It could be delivering buildings by the second quarter of 2022.
Designed to meet today’s business and future proofing, the scheme will feature high-quality landscaping meeting the requirement for a biodiversity net gain of 10%. There will be an enhanced biodiversity zone, to retain the site’s thriving ecology whilst creating a vibrant, attractive, and healthy working environment for employees.
The landmark development is strategically located in a prime position along the A14, perfectly situated for logistics and manufacturing. The A14 provides access to Ipswich and Felixstowe, as well as the A12 and the wider national motorway network. Gateway 14 bridges the gap between the Midlands and one of Europe’s largest and busiest container ports at Felixstowe and is the country’s primary route for export to European and global markets, opening gateways to business.
Agents for the scheme are Savills and Avison Young.
