Developer Summerfield has agreed a deal worth £2.947m with Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) that will see the council’s Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) relocate to purpose-built facilities at the developer’s Somerset business park Westpark 26.
Taunton Deane Borough Council has commissioned facilities totalling approximately 17,500 sq ft (1,625 sq m) on a plot of 1.93 acres for the relocation of the DLO, which will move from its current base at Priory Way, Taunton to the new premises by the end of this year.
Comprising a warehouse, workshops, offices and a yard, the bespoke facilities have all been designed to suit the specific needs of the 160-strong DLO team. The new DLO base will be situated in the western section of Summerfield’s 50-acre business park, which is located just off Junction 26 of the M5 at Chelston, Wellington.
Construction work to create the new facility is due to start in the late spring with the DLO remaining at its current base until completion. Summerfield’s scheme for TDBC represents the latest deal for the developer at Westpark 26, which has seen a surge in demand for standalone industrial buildings.
Ben Trickey, Divisional Director at Summerfield, commented: “We are enormously proud that Taunton Deane Borough Council has chosen to house its DLO at Westpark 26. The Council appraised a number of potential sites for this important function and has clearly recognised the excellent value and many benefits, including strategic location, offered by Westpark.
“In addition to being a welcome addition to Westpark’s community of businesses and organisations, the DLO’s site will be the first major scheme in the western part of the business park. This paves the way for further development growth at Westpark and is an indication of the business park’s ongoing capacity to accommodate businesses’ needs.”
Cllr Mark Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Business Development, said: “A range of sites were considered in order to relocate the DLO. This option was verified as providing the best value for money following a detailed study and comparison with alternative sites.
“The purpose built facility will be a significant asset for the Council. It will improve operational efficiency, occupy a smaller footprint with comparatively low maintenance and running costs, will provide a better quality work environment and be equipped to accommodate evolving operational requirements. It is encouraging to see this project taking a significant step forward.”
Cllr John Williams, Leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: “The decision to relocate to Wellington has to be welcomed. Development at this site will support the Council’s key corporate priority of growth and regeneration bringing economic benefit and employment opportunities throughout the Deane. It is a key part of our planning and investing for the future that we are releasing the existing DLO site for yet more investment in the economy of Taunton Deane.
“It is also very pleasing that that the contract for the new DLO site has gone to Summerfield Developments (SW) Ltd – a local company that contributes greatly to the prosperity of Taunton Deane.”
Summerfield has now sold or let all 63 of the terraced business units it has constructed on Westpark 26. The most recently constructed units were completed in December 2015 with three sold, one let and the last under offer on a leasehold basis.
In total, Westpark 26 now exceeds 200,000 sq ft of development, encompassing a range of uses on the 50-acre business park, with the potential for further development on the remaining 20 acres.
