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EVANS' SUPER SHED SITE TARGETS LOCAL MARKET

Major industrial developers are often accused of targeting national clients, and ignoring the need for smaller units aimed at local users. Evans Property Group though has decided that its giant Fradley Park scheme, in Staffordshire, is capable of housing units for customers at both ends of the market.

Detailed plans have just been submitted to Lichfield Borough Council for 195,000 sq ft of space, divided into twelve units from 8,500 sq ft upward.
It's an interesting shift in strategy, but the Leeds-based outfit is confident of success.

As portfolio director Alan Syers points out, with just 1.6m sq ft so far developed, the 300-acre site has ample room for expansion. Outline consent for employment uses has already been granted for around 4m sq ft, and even the next development phase is expected to take up roughly another 1.4m sq ft.

"Clearly, if we are dealing with national or international users, they will typically require units of 500,000 sq ft and more," he says.

"However, our agents believe there is significant untapped demand in Staffordshire for smaller units, especially for local firms looking to move from outdated premises to brand-new space."

The former airfield is certainly well placed for distribution uses - alongside the A38, and close to J5 of the M6 Toll - and at the heart of the regional shed market.

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EVANS INVESTS TO KEEP FRADLEY PARK GROWING

Evans Property Group has revealed plans to invest more than £3.5 million in infrastructure and retain 170 acres for the next phase of development at its giant Fradley Park scheme in Staffordshire.

The Leeds-based company is spending over £1 million on widening Wood End Lane - the main access road from the adjacent A38 - and Gorse Lane, then adding a footpath, cycle-path and new roundabout.

Another £2.3 million will go on adding a new service road across the 300-acre site, according to Evans' director Alan Syers. Sewage works and new drainage will take the final spending total well over the £3.5 million mark.

Reflecting the site's original use as a World War II RAF bomber airfield, the latest road will be named Halifax Way.

"We've spent around £10 million on works and roads for the first phase, over the last ten years, but all the land they served is now developed," says Alan.

Evans is also investing in improving the facilities on the massive site.
Plans are due to be submitted to Lichfield District Council shortly for a local neighbourhood centre comprising an 8,000 sq ft supermarket, a pub, five smaller shops, plus a gym and a crèche.

"We regularly ask people working on Fradley Park what kind of services they'd like to see, and their responses are reflected in our latest proposals," says Alan.

"Originally, people preferred to use the shops and other facilities in the nearby villages and along the A38, but as the site has grown, so has the demand for more local services."

The last decade

The last decade has seen more than 20 national and international companies take space at Evans Property Group's Fradley Park scheme, employing nearly 4000 people. A further 800 residential homes have also been developed.

 

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