‘Link 9’ – the first large-scale industrial and warehouse scheme in Bicester for over 15 years has been announced by Developer Albion Land. Link 9 is to be located on the A4421 – just 1 mile from J9 of the London to Birmingham M40 motorway.
Cherwell District Council has approved planning permission covering distribution, manufacturing, R&D and offices.
Buildings will range from 80,000 sq ft – 250,000 sq ft on a freehold or leasehold basis – created for individual occupier requirements.
Investment in the 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.
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.”
White Commercial Surveyors, VSL & Partners and Colliers International have been appointed jointly to market the site.
Chris White, Managing Director of White Commercial Surveyors comments: ‘’This is excellent news for Bicester and the London to Birmingham M40. This part of the M40 is seeing substantial residential and commercial growth fuelled by constraints on development land and spiralling costs in Oxford whilst the M40 now also considered a rival with the M1 Corridor. Also this site is ‘ready to go’ unlike many similar sites in Bicester yet to move through the planning process.’’
Tom Barton, Director at VSL & Partners explains: “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. Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses in the distribution and advanced manufacturing sectors that want to grow. There is strong pent up demand from existing Bicester occupiers and significant interest from companies looking to locate in the town. Link 9 is well placed to capture this strong and growing demand from businesses.”
