Member Article

Work to begin on £8m Ashford industrial development

Work is set to commence on an £8m commercial development at Orbital Park in Ashford that will help meet growing demand for more industrial space in Kent.

Salmon Harvester Properties held a ceremony to mark the start of work on its Axiom development. Representatives from Ashford Borough Council, Locate in Kent, Salmon Harvester, Weiser Construction and other members of the development team were present at the event, which took place at the site on Tuesday.

The 55,000 sq ft scheme is made up of seven industrial and warehouse units, ranging from 3,000 sq ft to 12,500 sq ft in size. The units will be ready for occupation by spring 2016.

Salmon Harvester Director Pat Mahoney said: “There’s a lack of new industrial development in the immediate area and we believe that Axiom will meet the needs of local companies looking to expand or relocate to modern accommodation.”

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see industrial development being delivered as there is a strong demand locally for this and we are aware good quality existing vacant space has reduced considerably over the last 12 months. This site is a welcome addition to the popular Orbital Park.

“Ashford is clearly being recognised as a great investment opportunity, with the scale of development coming forward at the moment and the interest from developers, businesses and investors show the confidence they all have in Ashford, which further reinforces why we are the number one business location in Kent.”

Salmon is developing the scheme speculatively through its own finances and has already agreed a pre-let with national joinery business Howdens for 8,000 sq ft on a 15-year lease at a rent of £9.50 per sq ft. Weiser Construction is the main contractor.

Axiom on Orbital Park is within minutes of J10 of the M20 providing easy access north towards London and south to the Channel Ports. The units will be available on a freehold or leasehold basis and adjacent land is also available for design and build projects or for sale to owner-occupiers. Strutt & Parker and Altus Edwin Hill are joint agents

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .