Developer Summerfield has completed a £2.9m purpose-built depot for Taunton Deane Borough Council at its Somerset business park Westpark 26. The Council’s Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) moved into the new facilities this month after construction work concluded two weeks ahead of schedule.
Taunton Deane Borough Council commissioned the building, which occupies a 1.93 acre (17,500 sq ft) plot, in order to relocate from Priory Way, Taunton, releasing that site for economic redevelopment. The DLO’s team of 160 staff has now fully occupied its new base in the western section of Summerfield’s 40-acre business park, strategically located just off Junction 26 of the M5 at Chelston, Wellington.
Construction work started in late spring. The depot offers a bespoke warehouse, workshops, offices, including a mezzanine area totaling 5,000 sq ft, and a large yard that suits the specific needs of the DLO.
Taunton Deane Borough Council’s depot at Westpark 26 is one of a number of developments under way, or recently completed, at the thriving hub for the region’s business community. Completion of the depot brings the total amount of occupied space at Westpark 26 to over 200,000 sq ft. Importantly, the construction of roads and other infrastructure for the DLO facility has opened up 4.5 acres of land adjacent to the depot site for further development.
Chris Winter, Chief Executive at Summerfield, commented: “Our vision for Westpark 26 has always been to create a diverse hub for enterprise across a variety of sectors. The completion of the DLO premises for Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC), along with new occupiers for Block A and a new hospital on the park, is bringing this vision to fruition. Furthermore, the DLO depot and its accompanying site infrastructure have opened up the western section of the business park for new development opportunities.”
“JLL and Alder King acted for Summerfield in securing the relocation of the DLO for TDBC, with a concerted effort from all parties, including agents, solicitors and principals, to complete the contracts”, commented Ben Trickey, Divisional Director at Summerfield. “Since the development began on site, Summerfield and Devon Contractors have worked with TDBC to deliver the building two weeks ahead of schedule, including variations to the original specifications.”
Cllr John Williams, Council Leader at TDBC, said: “Summerfield has created a bespoke depot for the DLO that is modern, fit for purpose and provides a better quality work environment for our staff. It is truly a vote of confidence in our Council and for the future of our DLO. The rapid progress of the scheme is to be commended, it was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget.
“I am delighted to see that this development, and others, demonstrates the important and positive role Westpark 26 is playing in the support of business and employment opportunities in the region. In addition, the relocation of the DLO has allowed us to sell their former site to Helston Garages Group, which has impressive redevelopment plans that will truly enhance Tone Way as the “Gateway” to Taunton. In doing so, it will bring immediate and long-term economic benefits to the Borough by ensuring this prestigious business is retained in Taunton.”
Agents on Westpark 26 are JLL (Exeter and Bristol offices), Alder King (Taunton and Bristol offices) and Greenslade Tayor Hunt (Taunton).
