New Images Show Future for Airport Business Park

December 9, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Stunning new CGI visuals, showing how the new £150m Airport Business Park will look once completed have been published.

One of the visuals, depicting the view from a plane that has taken off from the airport shows how advanced technology businesses, hi-specification office space, an innovation centre and a hotel will look from the air.

The 1 million square foot development is expected to attract occupiers from the medical technology, aviation, advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors as well as some of the high-end support services, including headquarters buildings.

Meanwhile, enabling works are nearing completion, and the first phase of developing the major new infrastructure required will begin shortly. This will see access to the new business park site created via a new roundabout off Cherry Orchard Way. The first section of the business park’s main ‘spine road’ will also be built, along with utility and drainage works to serve the first development plots. Landscaping and the development of a sub-station will also be completed by spring 2017.

John Lamb, Leader of the Council, says: “There is already much commercial interest in the site from a range of occupiers, and in the New Year we will be actively stepping up marketing activities to promote the scheme more widely. We will be using these excellent new CGI’s in new marketing materials and online and will help the agency teams attracting further interested parties. Looking at the images I cannot wait to see it built and finished.

“On the site itself, work to create ten new pitches for Westcliff Rugby Football Club is nearing completion, and we remain in discussions with them regarding their new clubhouse. We anticipate a planning application to be submitted to Rochford District Council by the end of the year.

“The council and Henry Boot Developments have also appointed Erith Contractors to carry out the phase 1 infrastructure works. This includes creating the first section of the business park’s spine road and putting in the required utilities and drainage which will pave the way for the development of the site and serve the first development plots. Work on this is expected to start before Christmas.

“This project is strategically important for both Southend-on-Sea and the Rochford District, and will bring in significant public and private sector investment and generate thousands of new jobs in over 1million square feet of attractive, modern business premises in the area around London Southend Airport. It will further boost the regeneration of the Borough, cementing Southend-on-Sea as a place to live, visit and do business, and open up employment opportunities for local people in skilled sectors such as advanced engineering, aviation and medical technology.”

The Leader of Rochford District Council, Cllr Terry Cutmore said: “I am very happy with the progress being made on developing the new business park, which will be a great asset for our residents.

“This is a fantastic project that will boost and enhance the economy for both the Rochford District and Southend Borough through delivering local job opportunities and space for start-up and business incubation units.

“The CGI visuals are a real insight into what the new business park will look like and it is very exciting to see our plans coming together.”

Kemsley LLP and Dedman Gray have been appointed to market the development which is being taken forward jointly by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Henry Boot Developments Ltd. Companies interested in the development should visit www.abp-southend.co.uk

To view more images, please visit our Flickr site.