Construction is set to start on the ‘Trade City’ site
WORK on an extensive commercial redevelopment in Frimley is due to start next month.
Plans to overhaul the 10acre Lyon Way industrial estate and create a new commercial space, dubbed Trade City, were approved by Surrey Heath Borough Council 16 months ago.
The site, just off junction 4 of the M3, will be redeveloped and replaced with seven industrial and warehouse buildings.
Developer Kier Property announced on Monday demolition and clearance work will start on the first phase of the 56,000sq/ft site in August, with construction expected to start in early October.
Helena Kolsaker, development manager at Kier Property, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the works starting on the site. Frimley has been on our books for a number of years and I am excited to see it finally taking shape and being developed into a fastmoving industrial facility, which will generate jobs and income for the local economy.”
During the application process, Kier said the proposal was an opportunity to deliver economic development on an under-used site, however objectors believed the plans would create excessive traffic and pose a serious flood risk.
Station Road resident Lesley Hadcroft said she was never informed or consulted on the planning application and branded the development ‘pointless’.
The former BAE Systems site, off Lyon Way and Station Road, is built on the Blackwater Valley flood plain and the borough and county councils are directed to restrict building and traffic flow, respectively, on sites prone to flooding. However, planning permission was granted on the basis that Kier contributes £29,315 towards safety improvements at the nearby Toshiba Roundabout, which serves traffic from the A325 Farnborough Road as well as the M3 and A331, plus a further £6,160 towards auditing a travel plan.
A report issued by the borough council said the development would help maintain the local economy while not adversely impacting nearby residential amenities or creating highway safety concerns.
Bonnie Minshull, director at Savills which is acting as joint letting agent for the scheme alongside DTZ and Vail Williams, said: “Seeing the scheme finally come together and take shape is great news, and I am encouraged by occupier demand we have already received.
“Kier Property’s growth in its industrial Trade City brand has been going from strength to strength for some time now and Savills is delighted to be part of the success story.”