Proposed Regional Distribution Centre
A public exhibition was held on 21 August 2007 at The Baptist Centre, Amesbury, to explain to members of the public proposals for the development of a Regional Distribution Centre at Solstice Park.
The exhibition gave local residents, businesses, Councillors and other interested parties the opportunity to view the plans and discuss the proposals, also to air their views with the developer’s professional team of consultants.
A Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) is essentially a storage building/s for businesses to redistribute their products within a region, in this case likely to be the southwest. An RDC acts as a storage hub to reduce long distance delivery traffic movements.
It is estimated that an RDC of this nature could provide been 1,000 -1,200 direct jobs for Amesbury such as warehouse, processing, clerical, managerial, in addition to many indirect jobs such as landscaping, cleaning, computer maintenance, office supplies to name but a few. A 50,000 sq ft. office is incorporated within the proposed scheme.
The proposed Regional Distribution Centre will comprise the following:
A total site area of 27.09 hectares gross (including landscaping and parking).
Two buildings: Building One of 56,928 sq metres and Building Two of 37,216 sq metres.
Approximately 4,707 sq metres for ancillary offices.
An estimated 1000 - 1200 direct jobs plus additional local "spin off" service jobs.
An access for lorry traffic to enter and exit the site directly from the A303.
A new vehicular/pedestrian/cycleway created within the park to aid access to the site by employees and public transport.
Landscape strategy for Solstice Park as already approved by the District Council.
Earthworks to ensure that the scheme fits well within the landscape.
Many locals will recall the loss of some 600 jobs when the NAAFI closed and more recently, Gregory Transport vacated three local distribution sites again with the negative impact of job losses to the area. It is hoped that the proposed scheme will help reintroduce jobs and help to compensate for the former losses whilst boosting the local economy.
At this stage there is not a named occupier; however, commercial enquiries for an RDC have been strong.
The planning application was submitted to Salisbury District Council at the end of December 07; the planning application number is S/2007/2518.
The planning application can be viewed at:-http://www.salisbury.gov.uk/planning/development-control/planning-applications.htm
Simply insert the above application number in the box provided. |