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A47 ‘gateway’ to Wisbech hotel and industrial park could create 500 jobs
Property developer Godwin Developments has submitted an outline planning application for a range of commercial uses for its 9.5-acre site adjacent to the A47 in Wisbech and hope to create 500 jobs.
The application for the development, called Wisbech Gateway, proposes a flexible mix of uses including industrial, petrol station, drive thru and drive to, and hotel alongside associated infrastructure, landscaping, and car parking spaces.
“Set at a key strategic point in the road network of the region – the main arterial route between the Midlands and Norfolk – the site benefits from high visibility, excellent connectivity and road frontage,” said a company spokesperson.
“This makes it very suitable for a range of occupiers such as PFS and coffee operators, quick service restaurants, hotels, third-party logistics, industrial owner-occupiers, manufacturing businesses, EV charging operators and many others.
“All of these can benefit from a population of over 110,000 people within a twenty-minute drive as well as passing road traffic of more than 6.5 million vehicles per year.”
Godwin says the area is a thriving business location with major companies including DHL, Nestle, and Travis Perkins in close proximity.
“The application seeks to build on an already approved detailed application for access and is designed to bring forward high-quality mixed-use industrial and commercial development at this gateway site,” said the spokesperson.
The application is for a flexible range of uses and floorspace areas:
- Industrial (B2/B8/Eg(iii)) – up to 60,000 sq. ft (5,574 sqm)
- Hotel (C1) – up to 40,565 sq. ft (3,768 sqm)
- Petrol Filling Station with ancillary retail sales (sui generis/Class E(a)) – up to 5,000 sq. ft (465 sqm)
- Drive-thru (E(b)/sui generis) – up to 4,300 sq. ft (400 sqm)
- Drive-to diner (E(b)) – up to 5,975 sq. ft (555 sqm)
Whilst the site’s layout is a matter for a subsequent reserved matters application, Godwin says it has submitted three indicative masterplan layouts to demonstrate how the mix and quantum of uses proposed could be arranged on the site.
Nick Harrison, Planning Director at Godwin Developments, said: “This application is grounded in policy and responds to Fenland District Council’s Local Plan which seeks to encourage employment to the south of Wisbech, along the A47 corridor.
“The proposal offers sustainable development for the town, will target a BREEAM Very Good scheme, and through the provision of new soft landscaping, also significantly enhance the visual appearance of the site.
“The potential benefits of the proposals are significant, with the creation of more than 500 jobs in construction and operation and economic value calculated at £500 million.”
Background to application
Godwin and its agents – Alfred Bartlett from Ogle Property LLP; John Maxey at Maxey Grounds and Julian Welch from Eddisons – say they welcome enquiries from interested occupiers for units at Wisbech Gateway.
IMA Architects worked on the layouts and Pegasus Group were the planning consultants for the scheme.
Godwin Developments has commercial and industrial divisions with recent developments in Birmingham, Northamptonshire, Dorset, and Cambridgeshire, alongside a strong UK-wide pipeline.
It develops and delivers projects for leading brands such as Wendy’s, Lidl, McDonald’s, Burger King, Greggs, Starbucks, and Costa Coffee. At the same time, the team works closely with electric vehicle charging providers, helping power the UK’s low-carbon future.
