The next phase in the development of the innovative Castledown Business Park will move forward after the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) approved a grant for more than £2.5m towards the scheme.
The SWLEP agreed to award Wiltshire Council £2,535,000 from the Growing Places Infrastructure Fund recognising the huge benefit the site has to offer the local community by helping start-up businesses as well as existing small and medium size businesses which want to expand.
Wiltshire Council, in partnership with Castledown Business Park developer St. Modwen, is working to bring this development in Ludgershall forward and has already secured planning permission for the next phase.
St. Modwen, the developer of the 33 acre employment site, has obtained consent to deliver 33,650 sq ft of business space including office, storage and industrial accommodation. Permission has been granted for 15 units, ranging from 700 – 6,000 sq ft, aimed at driving further business growth locally and creating additional job opportunities at the business park.
The delivery of phase two, Brydges Court, follows the success of the first phase of development, Fitz Gilbert Court at the business park. This comprises of 27,500 sq ft and 21 units (ranging from 700 – 3,200 sq ft) which Wiltshire Council owns and manages. The park is fully let to a range of occupiers and includes the Castledown Business Centre and the new Incubation Centre supporting businesses.
Castledown Business Park has outline planning consent for approximately 420,000 sq ft of office, distribution and industrial uses to be developed over a series of phases.
Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is excellent news, not just for the business owners and entrepreneurs but for the local community and Wiltshire as a whole.
“Castledown Business Centre is one of those places which is completely focused on supporting the local economy by helping people who wish to start up a new business and companies which want to expand. Its links with Wellington Academy and the MoD means young people and former service personnel are helped, and their skills and enthusiasm are nurtured and developed. Phase two will see this site expand.”
Pete Davies, development manager for St. Modwen in the south west, commented: “The first phase of development which is operating at full occupancy has enabled business start ups to locate at a quality business development with associated local job creation.
“The next units will allow growth space for existing companies on site, while offering flexible accommodation for new occupiers to either purchase or rent at Castledown Business Park. We are also continuing to market the wider business park for companies seeking new accommodation which can be built to meet specific occupier requirements.”