Jaynic, as development promoter has submitted an outline application for B1 and B8, together with detail for the main infrastructure and landscaping on Taylor Wimpey’s 114 acre site at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Park, which has Enterprise Zone status on 37 acres, and will accommodate up to 2 m sq ft of business, distribution and industrial units.
Simultaneously it has sold a 10-acre site to Treatt – advised by agents Carter Jonas – which will finance the cost of the park’s initial infrastructure. Treatt, is one of the world’s longest established solutions providers for the flavour, fragrance and personal care industries, and has been located in Bury St Edmunds since 1971. The company is to consolidate from several locations in the town into a new 200,000 sq ft global headquarter facility to be constructed within the Enterprise Zone. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
The outline planning application for B1 and B8 sets out a development masterplan providing for up to 2m sq ft at Suffolk Park including a potential 750,000 sq ft ‘big box’ distribution warehouse on the east side of the site. The whole park is within a larger area allocated as employment land as an extension of the established Moreton Hall business area by St Edmundsbury Borough Council in its ‘Vision 2031’ local plan.
It is hoped that the outline application which is policy compliant will gain approval in March 2017. Jaynic intends to have contractors on site to undertake all necessary infrastructure works as quickly as possible. This will create a fully serviced attractive landscaped environment to meet the needs of modern businesses.
Nic Rumsey of Jaynic, said: “We are grateful for the active support and assistance of St Edmundsbury that has enabled us to get this major planning application submitted within only six months, and are delighted with the swift sale of the first site on the park to Treatt before we have obtained planning. This augurs well for the future of the project. Suffolk Park is in a prime location next to the established Moreton Hall area. It is accessed from the new Eastern Relief Road which is due for completion in the summer 2017 and is equidistant between Junctions 44 and 45 of the A14 giving direct access to the whole of the UK motorway network.”
Dean Taylor, Director of Operations at Treatt, said: “Treatt is delighted to announce the exchange of contracts at Suffolk Park. This will be one of the most significant company developments in the last 50 years and will revolutionise almost every aspect of the business. It will enable Treatt to excite its customers even more, improve efficiency and further accelerate its growth,” added Taylor.
Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “After so many years of very hard work by St Edmundsbury and many others, I am delighted that Suffolk Park is now rapidly moving from plans on paper to reality on the ground, alongside a new school, new community facilities, new homes and better transport links through the eastern relief road.
“The very real prospect of new jobs and inward investment is also great news and it is perhaps particularly pleasing that Treatt are looking to build their new global headquarters here. This really is an excellent next step in delivering this ambitious project, not just for Bury St Edmunds but West Suffolk and beyond, and I would like to thank Jaynic and everyone else involved.”
Bespoke properties from 10,000 sq ft upwards will be available to let or for sale. It is intended that, subject to planning, occupiers’ new properties will be built in parallel to the surrounding work so that occupation can be given as quickly as possible.
Enterprise Zone status, which was secured by New Anglia LEP and St Edmundsbury Borough Council, means that any qualifying company taking new accommodation within it will be eligible for relief of up to £55,000 pa against the rates payable for five years amounting to a saving of £275,000 over that period.
Being developed in parallel is Taylor Wimpey’s 500-home Moreton Hall scheme. The new Sybil Andrews Academy School opposite has just opened and it’s gym will soon be available for use by the Public.
Jaynic has appointed Bury St Edmunds based Hazells Chartered Surveyors as agents for the scheme.
