Planning submission at Bell Plantation rings the changes with new business park proposal

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce that outline planning application has been approved for a new business park on land adjoining Bell Plantation, on the outskirts of Towcester. The plans will include new business expansion next to the existing garden centre, plus the development of up to 31,800 sqm (GIA) of storage and light industrial units, access, landscaping and associated development and drainage infrastructure.

Says Kenny Leadbeater, Associate at SGP: “The area had already been allocated for employment use in the South Northamptonshire Local Plan, and our client and owner of the land, Jethro Warren, wanted to create a new business park, with a range of smaller units to cater for a variety of creators and smaller businesses. The garden centre is already the focus of a small group of makers and independent retailers and Jethro wanted to extend that creative community feeling into the new business park.”

SGP’s plans indicate a flexible layout which will accommodate a wide range of uses, integrated into an extensively landscaped setting. The suggested building design makes reference to the glazed gable ends, black timber and brick of the existing buildings, translating them for the larger units to deliver a harmonious and quality family of units. The diverse range of accommodation, in size, specification, tenure and use will also ensure that the development appeals to the widest possible occupier market as well as offering the flexibility for tenants to grow their businesses over time.

Landscape and greenspaces are a focus of the plans, with the overall strategy to create a naturalistic scheme with new trees, hedgerows, grassland, and wetland habitats associated with the SUDS strategy. In addition to an established, densely planted screen around the boundary, the proposed structure planting will provide definition to public and private spaces while also adding colour and seasonal interest as well as adding to the biodiversity of the area. A series of footpaths encourage pedestrian permeability with links through and across the site, especially to the café and farm shop, which naturally forms an amenity hub for the development.

Concludes Kenny: “Our proposed masterplan brings together the various infrastructure components to create a cohesive, legible, flexible and high quality family of units that will deliver the owner’s aspirations and vision for an inclusive, vibrant economic community.”

The 11.1 hectare site is at a prime location, adjacent to the A43 and A5 junction, providing access to the M1 to the east and the M40 to the west and giving excellent linkages to the wider motorway network.