Developer Robert Hitchins Ltd is proud to announce an agreement to provide a new purpose-built office for AirTanker in Oxfordshire.
AirTanker is a major employer in Oxfordshire, delivering aircraft, infrastructure, service, training and expertise in support of Voyager, the RAF’s new generation multi-role tanker transport aircraft (MRTT), the UK Armed Forces and their global partners.
The new state-of-the-art office space in Carterton will integrate staff from several locations, and will also accommodate the growth that the business has seen since its establishment at RAF Brize Norton.
The new multi-million pound development will comprise 20,000 sq ft of office space and a 22,000 sq ft decked car park facility which has been specifically designed to accommodate AirTanker’s current needs and its future growth.
Robert Hitchins and AirTanker worked closely to source the opportunity to buy the land in Carterton. They jointly obtained planning permission from West Oxfordshire District Council for a building suited to AirTanker’s needs.
Both companies will continue to work together through the construction stage with an aim of achieving practical completion in spring 2018.
Once complete, AirTanker will lease the new facility from RHL on a 15-year term.
Phillip Heslop, Project Manager at AirTanker Services, is delighted with the success of the development project so far.
“It is great to be managing this exciting project, helping to integrate the business and bring about a new positive change. We have worked in partnership with Richard Hitchins Ltd over the past year and are dedicated to delivering a landmark building, bespoke to the needs of the business – it will be great to now see the striking design come to life.”
Senior Development Manager for Robert Hitchins, Michael Plimmer, said: “This is an exciting project for us. RHL has a good track record of delivering the complete development solution to occupiers and we are pleased to have been able to work alongside AirTanker from the earliest point when they identified a need for new accommodation, through to unlocking and securing their ideal site, obtaining planning consent and now onto the final construction phase.”
AirTanker is a consortium made up of leading aerospace, defence and facilities management specialists: Babcock, Cobham, Airbus Group, Rolls-Royce and Thales.
Awarded the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract for RAF Voyager by the MOD in 2008, AirTanker is responsible for aircraft delivery and everything that goes into Voyager’s safe and reliable operation.
Robert Hitchins, based at Boddington, Gloucestershire, is one of the leading property developers and investors in the South West and South Wales. It deals with the full development process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.
Alder King’s Bristol office provided investment advice to Robert Hitchins Ltd.
