Supermarket giant targets Solstice Park

PLANS have been unveiled to bring a large regional distribution centre into the Solstice Park business complex in Amesbury, fuelling fears of even greater traffic problems for the A303.

Although there is a great deal of speculation as to who would occupy the two large warehouses, the Journal understands the supermarket giant Asda has expressed an interest in opening a major distribution centre in Amesbury for its deliveries.

The Amesbury Property Company is planning to use 60 acres of Solstice Park to house the two huge warehouses, offering what it calls "one of the largest relocation opportunities in southern England creating up to 1,000 new jobs."

At a public exhibition at the Amesbury Baptist Centre, the company outlined their proposals to erect one building of 56,928 square metres and another of 37,216 at the eastern end of the business park, occupying a large part of the central core of the site.

Associated with the centres will be more than 4,000 square metres of office accommodation.

A spokeswoman for Amesbury Property Company, said such a centre is essentially a storage building for businesses to distribute their products within a region - likely to be the south west.

She added: "It is estimated a regional distribution centre of this nature could provide between 1,000 to 1,200 direct jobs such as warehouse, processing, clerical and managerial in addition to many indirect jobs.

"Many locals will recall the loss of some 600 jobs when the NAAFI closed down and, more recently, Gregory Transport vacated three local distribution sites again with the negative impact of job losses to the area.

"It is hoped the proposed scheme will help re-introduce and compensate for these job losses while boosting the local economy."

She said at this stage there is not a named occupier, but commercial enquiries "have been strong."

It is likely a planning application will be submitted in October. People who visited the planning exhibition have spoken of their concerns at the proposals, pointing out the close proximity of the warehouses to homes and questioning whether the A303 can take any more heavy lorries.

Residents who have supported Solstice Park and favour its use for offices and small businesses creating local jobs, oppose using the idea of a regional distribution centre.

Haldon Mattinson, who lives in Tanners Field, Amesbury, said that use was not something which should go on Solstice Park.

He added: "I'm all for Solstice Park, but a distribution centre will do nothing for Amesbury and create very few jobs. However, my main worry is the A303 which, quite frankly, is not up to the job.

"Any large increase in heavy traffic will be a real strain on the very limited infrastructure currently in place in this area of the country.

"The road network from Amesbury heading south west is of very poor construction, and there is no rush by the Government to develop the road."

Mr Mattinson said the A303 around Amesbury was finding it difficult to cope now. There are frequent traffic jams creating miles of slow-moving traffic.

Sue Money, who lives in Coniston Close, said the distribution centre would be built very close to existing houses.

She added: "I have always been led to believe this business park was to be for offices and small businesses.

"Now, we are being told a huge distribution centre is going to be constructed right by our houses.

"This raises issues of air and noise pollution, and I understand some of the screening trees already planted will be uprooted.

"I am not against a commercial park with offices and similar businesses, but this has been sprung on us very suddenly."

Salisbury Journal 6th September 2007