A landmark building at the heart of Stoneleigh Park’s transformation into a centre of agricultural excellence has hit a milestone in its construction.
The highest point has been reached in the creation of a new state-of-the-art home for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
LaSalle Investment Management, which manages the Warwickshire estate, started work on the £5 million building last May as part of the 15-year masterplan to transform the site into an internationally-renowned centre for agriculture, science, innovation and rural business.
The 30,000 sq ft development will enable the AHDB, a statutory body which improves the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of agriculture and horticulture sectors, to be brought together under one roof for the first time.
The six divisions of AHDB moved to Stoneleigh Park from different locations in 2008 and employ around 290 staff housed in three separate buildings on site.
Colin Hooper, Estates Director at Stoneleigh Park, said the new facility was on schedule to be completed this spring, ready for AHDB to move in during the autumn.
He said: “LaSalle is delighted to be delivering a new building on time and on budget for the AHDB. We have now reached the highest point of the construction and the building is water tight allowing the building contractor to start on the internal fittings.
“It will be a modern, environmentally-friendly headquarters that has been designed to reflect AHDB’s needs and complement the rural setting of Stoneleigh Park with the use of local and natural materials which will include a sweet chestnut timber cladding.”
Stoneleigh Park is part of the Business Environments for Science and Technology (BEST) Network, the largest privately-owned portfolio of science and technology parks in the UK.
Colin added: “The new building is a significant step in Stoneleigh Park being revitalised as a centre for agricultural excellence as part of the BEST Network.
“Our provision of improved facilities will support AHDB in the vital work it undertakes to make agriculture and horticulture industries more competitive and sustainable through its extensive research and development activities.”
AHDB Chief Executive Tom Taylor said: “It’s been exciting to see our new home take shape here at Stoneleigh. The project is going to plan and we’re really looking forward to being all together in one building for the first time.
“This is a key moment in our continuing drive to make AHDB a more effective organisation for our levy payers. The new building will provide a much better working environment, use less energy and all for the same rent we currently pay.”
AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain.
Its operations are focused through six branded operating divisions covering about 75 per cent of total agricultural output in the United Kingdom and cover pig meat, beef and lamb, horticulture, milk, potatoes and cereals and oilseeds.