HBD to extend Airport Business Park Southend with further 12 units

Property developer HBD has submitted planning for a further 69,610 sq ft of industrial space at Airport Business Park Southend.

The 21-ha multi-use business park is being delivered in joint venture partnership between HBD and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. The scheme forms a central part of an ambitious new vision for Southend-on-Sea, comprising flexible business space, office, industrial and warehousing space and hotel facilities.

£150m is being invested in delivering high-quality space and infrastructure, building a collaborative ecosystem to drive growth. The “Launchpad”, a dedicated facility designed to champion innovation in the area for start-ups and SMEs, recently secured the green light from planners.

Harry Bunbury, Director at HBD, said: “Interest in Airport Business Park has remained robust and work has continued to progress quickly on site.

“Subject to planning, we will be delivering all 12 units on a speculative basis, serving existing demand within the area and providing local businesses with well-connected, high-quality space to facilitate growth. We look forward to pushing ahead with this next stage of the scheme, with a view to starting on site later this year.”

Cllr Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, says: “This is another important milestone for a vital project. Bringing inward investment and growth into the area, along with supporting local business to grow is going to be absolutely key to our local recovery, and so I am pleased to see that a planning application has been submitted for further development on the site.”

Headquartered in Sheffield, HBD has offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Bristol and Glasgow. It is working with a development pipeline of more than £1.6bn and boasts a diverse UK-wide portfolio, comprising big-brand retail, office spaces and logistics through to residential innovation and award-winning heritage projects.

HBD has a strong track-record in partnering with local authorities on the successful delivery of employment sites, with several projects currently underway in the South East, including Enfield 406 and Butterfield Business Park in Luton.