Works are well underway on the first phase of a business park which will unlock new jobs for North Kesteven.
Phase one of the 37-acre Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park is expected to complete by August next year, ready for the first businesses to move in and call it home.
Local contractor Smith Construction is carrying out the initial enabling groundworks for plots one and three to be built, which make up this phase along with the civils and spine road. Harlaxton Engineering based in Grantham meanwhile are delivering the site-wide utilities connections for the park.
Within plot one will be nine business units ranging from 1,313 sq ft to 2,066 sq ft benefitting from solar panels, energy efficient insulation and electric vehicle charging points.
Plot three contains six slightly larger grow-on business units ranging from 3,369 sq ft to 5,123 sq ft benefitting from solar panels, an electric vehicle charging shelter and extra efficient insulation.
A group of people including North Kesteven District Council officers and Members, representatives from Harlaxton Engineering, Smith Construction, marketing agent Banks Long & Co and consultants biT Group gathered onsite in August to mark the start of official groundworks for phase one.
North Kesteven District Council Leader Councillor Richard Wright said:
“To stand onsite where in just under a year’s time there’s expected to be finished units ready to welcome businesses is just fantastic. It’s a real moment to celebrate as a Council committed to investing in our communities, and something to be proud of together as a District.
“There’s been great levels of interest in Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park so far and our marketing agent Banks Long & Co continues to actively promote it and liaise with potential tenants.
“I look forward to seeing the site develop as we reach the next stages of construction, and of course the ripple effect I hope Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park will have in encouraging carbon and energy-saving features to be embedded into other business parks and commercial developments elsewhere.”
Banks Long & Co Director William Wall said:
“We’re excited to see that construction has commenced and delighted to report that discussions are progressing well with a range of potential occupiers.
“It’s clear that many businesses are drawn to the quality of the units, in particular the eco-conscious features.”
Smith Construction established its site entrance, compound and excavated the main spine road in its first works onsite.
Ken Smith, Managing Director of Smith Construction, said:
“So far, the weather has been kind and works are progressing well. We are also delighted to announce that Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park has been registered with The Considerate Constructors Scheme, demonstrating our willingness to provide standards beyond statutory requirement.
“It’s great to be on site and doing what we do best. We would like to thank the residents and businesses around the site for their patience and understanding while construction takes place.”
Lucy Hibbert, Managing Director of Harlaxton Engineering, said:
“It was an absolute delight to be invited to attend the first ‘making ground’ moment for our high-profile contract awarded earlier this year. It is fantastic to be working with local businesses for a local purpose and strongly supporting our Carbon Footprint objectives with ‘on the doorstep’ multi utility installations.”
Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park is situated close to Pride Parkway in the town and visible from the roadside along the A17. For more about the units available, visit www.bankslong.com or call William Wall on 01522 544515.
The Council’s Economic Development Team provides a range of business support along with identifying opportunities for the District’s local economy.
The team has various tools and mechanisms to help businesses, from a free online business directory and e-newsletter through to a dedicated business advisor and a portfolio of units around the District.
For more on the Council’s broader economic development work, visit www.businessnk.co.uk or sign up for business e-newsletters at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/stayconnected.