Hadleigh Commercial Unit Development
A low-density commercial employment scheme alongside the A1071 at Hadleigh
The Council is seeking to directly deliver a low-density commercial employment scheme. The Hadleigh Commercial Unit Development will be based alongside the A1071 at Hadleigh.
This scheme will provide light industrial (B1 use) workspace units and employment opportunities at a key location in the district. Further, it has been evidenced that demand is not being met by the market in this area.
The Council commissioned post-Covid evidence of commercial market demand from MENTA. This research identified a shortage of incubator space (1,500sq ft range) in the districts. MENTA additionally reported that ideal locations are on the outskirts of population centres (including Hadleigh), as these locations provide good access and are linked to future housing growth.
Hadleigh Commercial Units
There is a small 1.5 acre area of allocated employment space which sits alongside the A1071 Ipswich Road at Hadleigh, and is owned by the Council. This was secured via a S106 agreement with Persimmon Homes.
Babergh’s Cabinet allocated £100,000 of forward funding in June 2021 to support development and delivery of this site. This included marketing, viability, design and site investigations.
The council has now received a planning application for A1-use retail/convenience/drive-thru portion of the site. Additionally, this supports the wider scheme viability from re-investment of the capital receipt.
Eight B1 units (small industrial units) will be created, include a two-storey office, biodiversity planting and parking. This development will support the creation of up to 50 jobs in small and micro businesses, and new start-up ventures.
The Council is working with Barefoot & Gilles Architects to finalise the designs. A planning application submission is expected in mid 2023. The full business case seeking final funding approval is to be reported back to the Council’s Cabinet and Council later in 2023.
