A project aimed at giving new businesses in North Somerset a helping hand is finally getting off the ground after several years of frustrating delays.
Work is about to start on a unique managed workspace scheme on behalf of the North Somerset Enterprise Agency.
The project, on the former Weston Airfield, which will include room for around 50 offices was due to be completed in 2010 but has been held up by a mixture of planning and funding issues. But now the go ahead has been given for the project in the area around Junction 21 of the M5 motorway which has finally opened up the airfield for development.
The project will provide flexible managed office space for start-up businesses as well as new offices for the Enterprise Agency. The 20,000 square foot building is expected to cost around £3.5 million to complete and will be one of the most sustainable office buildings in the North Somerset area.
Henry Parkinson, from property firm CBRE Bristol, has been managing the project for the Enterprise Agency and is confident that it will be finally completed by as early as the end of next year. He said: “The delays have been frustrating for everyone involved but this is a really exciting project in many ways and I am sure it will be worth the wait when it is finally completed.
“What we are looking at is a flexible office space which will be used by new businesses. The idea is that they will be able to expand into space as it suits them and will not have to worry about dealing with all the other issues that come with running a business premises.”
Mr Parkinson added: “Now that all the delays are out of the way we are looking to be on site early next year. This new centre will be built to the highest standards in terms of sustainability and energy saving measures.
“We will also be looking to use local contractors and local suppliers wherever possible. It is one of the most interesting projects we have been involved in for some time.”
Henry Parkinson of CBRE is acting as project manager and working alongside surveyors Sweett Group and Bristol based architects AWW. As part of the scheme Persimmon Housing will also be building new housing on the former airfield. Work began several months ago on creating a major new roundabout close to the area that has opened up the area for a series of major developments.
The roundabout is the first stage of the Cross Airfield Link (CAL) which will become a key strategic route linking the A371 with Winterstoke Road.
The road will take around five years to fully complete, but the roundabout is likely to be finished within nine months and will be the access point for the redevelopment of the old airfield site.
North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s chief executive Angela Hicks, said: “This is excellent news for the business and local community. It brings the building of our new facility one step closer, which will be a huge leap towards start-up and small businesses having the advice, support and facilities on hand that they need to grow and create new jobs in the area.”
