News release

The search is underway for a development partner to help deliver the regeneration of the former RAF Locking site in North Somerset.

The 82 ha brownfield site, owned jointly by national regeneration agency English Partnerships and the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA), has been earmarked for the creation of a mixed-use development as part of the wider regeneration of Weston-super-Mare.

Since the former military training school was purchased from the MOD in 2002, both agencies have been working closely with North Somerset Council to ensure the former RAF Locking site fulfils its potential as an employment-led development that helps attract new businesses to the town.  The Area Development Framework, which sets out wider regeneration plans for Weston-super-Mare, proposes a high-quality employment and residential development for the site that could deliver 25 ha of employment space and up to 1800 new homes.

Katharine West, development manager at the South West RDA said, “This is an important step forward for this major development which will play a key role in regenerating Weston, bringing new businesses and jobs to the town. This is one of the most significant strategic development opportunities in the greater Bristol Area. 

“We anticipate this employment-led site to be of major interest to high growth, start -up and established businesses, as well as to future government relocations.  Redevelopment will be employment-led but the site also offers potential for a mixed-use sustainable community.”

Matthew Stead, regeneration manager at English Partnerships said, “This site represents a great opportunity to contribute to the economic growth of Weston-super-Mare and encourage more people to live and work in the town.  We’re looking for a highly skilled, experienced development partner who shares our commitment to sustainable regeneration and will help us to deliver a scheme that fully integrates with the overall Weston Vision.”

International property adviser GVA Grimley will help the South West RDA with the developer selection and will also market the site to developers and occupiers.

The preferred development partner is likely to be appointed in early 2007 with work starting on site towards the end of 2007.

English Partnerships is the government’s national regeneration agency. Our aim is to deliver high quality, sustainable growth in England. We do this by developing our portfolio of strategic projects and acting as the government’s specialist advisor on brownfield land. We also ensure that surplus public sector assets are used to support wider government objectives, especially those contained in the Sustainable Communities Plan. English Partnerships helps to create communities where people can afford to live and want to live, and supports the urban renaissance by improving the quality of our towns and cities. Information on projects and programmes can be found at www.englishpartnerships.co.uk

The South West of England Regional Development Agency
The Government sponsored South West RDA, one of eight RDA’s nationally, was established in April 1999 to drive forward the region’s economy and is responsible for providing regional strategic leadership in economic development and for co-ordinating national programmes at regional and local level.  The South West RDA embraces Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire, the former Avon area, Somerset, Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

GVA Grimley LLP is one of the UK’s leading firms of property advisers with over 750 fee earners in eleven offices, and with fee income of £105 million. It provides a full range of property-related services including agency, planning and regeneration, rating, building consultancy, investment, management and valuation consultancy. GVA Grimley LLP also offers a wide range of specialist skills in areas such as telecoms, education, healthcare, shopping centre management, contamination, plant and machinery and the motor trade sector.   GVA Grimley brings extensive experience of major regeneration projects to the Winfrith site. The Bristol office of the property firm has advised on major schemes in Newquay, Camborne, Plymouth and Llanelli, as well as the high profile SPark Bristol and Bath Science Park. See www.gvagrimley.co.uk