THE EARLY interest in Oswestry Innovation Park has led to plans for full-site development rather than a phased approach, Shropshire Council says.
The authority hopes the fast development of the site will encourage more sales and satisfy the increased need for commercial space in Shropshire.
Three plots on the development have already been snapped up.
A recent Shropshire Council Cabinet meeting highlighted that although work has not begun on the site itself, negotiations are already in progress to sell some plots off-plan.
OTHER NEWS:
- Oswestry man seeks help to send daughter to USA for 'life-changing operation'
- Oswestry man admits being part of organised drugs gang
- Hospital hits 'gold standard' for supporting international nurses
This aims to attract investors and reduce construction costs.
Responding to inquiries during the meeting, Councillor Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet said: “Now the bridge is in place, we can start on the innovation park.
“We are very keen to attract the right businesses for Oswestry and hope to generate around £42 million for our town.
“We’ve also got a key investor who wants one of the end sites.”
Councillor Jones added that negotiation of the three plots has resulted in potential changes to the park’s layout to accommodate a shorter spine road.
This will allow the purchaser to acquire all three plots together meaning cost savings on construction and increased revenue for the council.
Councillor Jones continued: “This is a fantastic project and, unsurprisingly, there has been a great deal of interest from local businesses looking to relocate and from Investors in an Electric Vehicle Charging Hub on the site”.
Following the installation of the footbridge connecting the project to the town, to meet planning requirements, the council aims to start infrastructure works in spring 2024, bringing forward serviced employment land plots by early 2025.
Shropshire Council hopes the scheme will create over 1000 jobs, with the construction phase fostering local trainees through training, apprenticeships, and educational opportunities.
The development was granted outline planning permission in June 2021.
It includes 10 commercial plots, featuring a mix of office and light industrial buildings.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here