Symmetry Park, Swindon
Planning application for 100 acre (40 ha) employment land with access of trunk road, 112,000m2 of logistic space.
Key details
Project name
Symmetry Park, Swindon
Client
Gleeson Development, DBSymmetry, Panattoni
Location
Swindon
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Services provided
- Planning
- Architecture
- Environmental
Challenge
The initial challenge was to secure a new access to the strategic site and then to expand the area of designated employment land. We then needed to secure a flexible employment consent which addressed the local planning authorities principle parameters.
The application required a multi-discipline approach producing an Environmental Statement to support the planning application. We lobbied all stakeholders to secure the development suitable for the market. Once the outline was secured, acting on behalf of a developer we then needed to tailor the outline, within the approved parameters, to specific operator needs.
We needed to achieve development plots within a strategic infrastructure framework to allow shovel ready sites for the market. Finally, we secured detailed consent for over 1,000,000ft2 of speculative logistics space.
Solution
Working pro-actively with the council officers and members as well as other stakeholders, including the local regeneration company, we sought to address local employment needs in a form that was viable and attractive to the employment market. We helped shape the emerging local plan to reflect our client’s aspirations and to pave the way for the subsequent application. The plans were adapted in response to stakeholders’ comments without loosing sight of the essential commercial aspects of the scheme.
Planning conditions reflected the submitted evidence base so as not to restrict occupiers’ needs and S106 contributions were minimised to maintain viability. Detailed plans provided the necessary infrastructure to produce shovel ready developement plots which could respond quickly to market interest.