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15 April 2008
Portsmouth City Council and Havant Borough Council have selected Countryside Properties PLC as their development partner to undertake a major new employment scheme on a 32.6 acre site adjacent to junction 3 of the A3 (M) between Waterlooville and Havant, north of Portsmouth.
Countryside Properties PLC, a leader in property development, the creation of sustainable communities and urban regeneration has beaten off stiff competition to be selected by Portsmouth City Council as its development partner for the £102 million first phase development of Dunsbury Hill. Other shortlisted developers for the site included MEPC/Generator, Prologis and St.Modwen.
Countryside is now working up detailed proposals for consultation with the Havant Borough Council planners and the local community for a new 'state of the art' employment park in a strategic location at the gateway to the Solent with direct access off junction 3 of the A3 (M) motorway.
The development, to be re-named "Solent Gateway" will create a new 51,096 sq m (550,000 sq ft) high quality business and technology park of regional significance. The scheme will include an enterprise centre for start up companies as well as providing accommodation for the growth of small and medium enterprises, offices, light and general industrial space, warehouse accommodation and a business hotel and other amenities. It is expected to act as a catalyst for the wider economic regeneration and renewal of neighbouring Leigh Park. It will also serve to raise the profile of both Havant and the Portsmouth region as a business location of choice.
Mark Chatham, Commercial Development Director at Countryside Properties said "Countryside Properties is delighted to have been selected as Portsmouth City Council's development partner on this strategic site. The removal of the current "bottleneck" on the A3 at Hindhead in 2011 provides an outstanding opportunity for the A3 corridor to compete with the M3 in terms of attracting both new and existing businesses to Havant and the Portsmouth area."
Scott Brownrigg Architects are now working up detailed designs with the developer and the submission of a full planning application is anticipated in October 2008. The Havant Borough District-Wide Local Plan identifies the first phase for employment use and there is potential for further enlargement, subject to inclusion in a future review of the Development Plan.
DTZ is advising Portsmouth City Council while Countryside Properties is represented by Savills. It is anticipated that both agents will be retained as letting agents on the project.
Further information about Solent Gateway is available from Mark Chatham at Countryside Properties' Berkeley Square office on 020 7408 0099.
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Information correct as at 06/08/2008