We are moving forward with the first phase of development for an industrial scheme in Bexhill, having finalised the government funding arrangements for the works.
The scheme is designed to create 84,000 sq ft of light industrial floorspace on Bexhill Enterprise Park North, with the potential to support up to 500 jobs.
£1.94 million of government funding for the scheme’s ‘enabling works’ had been allocated by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) this summer, pending a grant agreement to be concluded between East Sussex County Council and us for the funds to be released.
This agreement has now been finalised, allowing us to press ahead with building the road into the site that will serve the future industrial units – as shown:
We aim to complete this preparatory phase by spring 2022, allowing developer Westcott Leach to start development of the industrial units at that point.
The industrial scheme was first refused planning consent by Rother District Council in 2019, but a Planning Inspector overturned this decision this spring.
The Inspector, Lesley Coffey BTP RTPI, commented that: “The proposal would deliver much-needed employment floorspace [and] help to create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt … thereby supporting economic growth in the local area.”
Recent independent analysis of industrial accommodation in East Sussex also underlines the need for the scheme. The ‘Room to Grow 2’ study, finalised in June by property advisors SHW for East Sussex County Council, found the county is suffering from a severe shortage of modern manufacturing premises, constraining the growth of local firms and preventing companies from moving to the area.