Planning permission has been granted for two commercial property units and a drive-through coffee store on part of the former Ford Transit factory in Southampton.
Property consultancy Vail Williams made the successful application for the scheme on the western side of Wide Lane on behalf of the site’s new owner, Hambridge Estates.
The commercial units are designed to be built to a minimum Very Good rating under BREEAM sustainability certification.
Ben Christian, an associate at the Southampton office of Vail Williams, said: “Planning permission has been approved for two commercial property units and a drive-through coffee store, with the location benefiting from close proximity to the M27, Southampton Airport and Southampton Airport Parkway railway station.
“No spade has gone in the ground yet. The client is agreeing terms with a contractor and pre-commencement conditions are undergoing the discharge process.
“As with all new commercial property builds, environmental credentials rightly figure large in the planning process, with buildings targeted with the highest energy efficiency EPC rating of A and enhanced landscaping including tree planting.”
He added: “We were pleased to achieve planning permission on behalf of our client – it took 12 months of negotiations with the planning authority during which the UK economic backdrop became particularly challenging because of rising borrowing costs due to interest rate increases and high inflation which has seen construction costs soar.”
Richard Dawtrey, a Vail Williams’ partner and LLP member, purchased the plot of land on behalf of Hambridge Estates.
He specialises in the acquisition and disposal of commercial property investment, with particular focus on office, retail and the industrial sector, and is head of property investment at Vail Williams.
HNW Architects, based in Chichester, worked with Vail Williams on the scheme.
Steve Duffy, Director, HNW Architects, said: “Tackling various site constraints and challenges, the teams at HNW and Vail Williams have again worked collaboratively together with our client to unlock the site’s commercial and employment potential.
“HNW have designed highly sustainable units that will contribute to much needed, valuable employment accommodation in the local area.”
