Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
New business park for 2022
Developers behind eye-catching plans to build Canterbury’s newest business park believe the project will be completed next year.
The scheme, earmarked for the Formula One Autocentre in Broad Oak Road, received the green light from the city council in 2017.
Since then work has stalled on the scheme, which will see seven new units being built, including a sandwich bar akin to a Greggs or Subway.
But in new documents marketing the site, owner Stour Valley Business Park reveals it expects the development to be completed in the second half of 2022. The papers read: “The Broad Oak Business Park is an exciting development of seven new units, totalling 15,482 sq ft.
“The accommodation is suitable for retail, trade counter office or business use, subject to planning.”
The work, which will include the demolition of the existing units, is scheduled to begin by the start of next month. In addition to the Autocentre, the site currently comprises a taxi company office and a hand car wash.
But once the development is complete, it will instead be home to a retail unit selling baked goods, industrial units, offices and storage and distribution centres.
Stour Valley Business Park also insisted the Formula One Autocentre will remain on the site, taking up residence in one of the new buildings. In decision papers issued in 2017, council planners said: “The seven units would be provided within four new buildings. “The purpose of the retail unit is to meet the lunchtime and passing trade demand in the area.
“It is anticipated that the unit would be occupied by a retailer selling sandwiches and hot baked goods.”
The developer noted at the time, in documents lodged with the local authority, that the shop could be “occupied by retailers selling cold food and drinks (i.e. Greggs, Subway, etc.), as well as general café operators”.