Major development plans for the first large-scale industrial and warehouse scheme in Bicester for over 15 years have been unveiled today by developer Albion Land. The development is to be called Link 9 and is located on the A4421 perimeter road on the north east side of the town.
As part of the Cherwell Local Plan, which seeks to deliver jobs-led growth, the development is the first in Bicester to achieve planning consent for large distribution and manufacturing buildings in addition to offices and R&D.
Total investment in the new development is estimated to be in the region of £50 million and property developers Albion Land confirm the 36 acre site will accommodate up 520,000 sq ft of buildings. These will provide much needed employment opportunities for the expanding Bicester population and will satisfy strong occupier demand for the town.
Planning for the project was approved by Cherwell District Council on the 17th March. The permission icovers a wide range of planning uses including distribution, manufacturing, R&D and offices. Albion Land envisage buildings ranging from 80,000 sq ft – 250,000 sq ft provided on a freehold or leasehold basis in response to individual occupier requirements. The site provides the only opportunity in Bicester that has outline planning consent and can be brought forward for development immediately.
VSL & Partners has been appointed, jointly with Colliers International and White Commercial, to market the site to occupiers.
Simon Parsons, director of Albion Land says: “With its Garden Town status and the new rail service from Bicester Town Station, this project will be implemented at a time when Bicester is enjoying a most exciting period in its evolution. The town is growing rapidly and the mix of an expanding population, excellent road communications and the buoyant Oxfordshire economy is resulting in a high level of demand from companies wanting new premises in Bicester. When fully occupied Link 9 will provide some 1,000 high quality jobs and will be a significant contributor to Bicester’s growing economy.”
Tom Barton, director at VSL & Partners added: “We are really excited to be involved in such a major instruction. This will be the largest industrial and warehouse scheme in the area for over 15 years and the first to come forward following the Cherwell Local Plan. Link 9 is well placed to capture the strong demand from both local and national businesses.”
Bicester is an historic market town with major ambitions for growth, which include a £70m town centre redevelopment; an extension to Bicester Village; and a new town centre rail connection to both London Marylebone and Birmingham. The new ‘Garden City’ status will also provide at least 13,000 additional homes and it is projected to double the town’s current 30,000 population.
