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FAQs

1. What are your plans for the International Business Park, Stratford?
  • We are bringing forward plans for Phase 1, which involves the regeneration of the former Kesslers building and a car park located in the northern part of the site.
  • Our proposals will deliver three, modern sustainable buildings that will be able to accommodate up to six new businesses, delivering high-quality industrial and logistics spaces.
  • We will deliver approximately 157,000 sq. ft of new floorspace and up to 388 new jobs, maximising the potential of the site.
  • New public realm and landscaping improvements will also be made to the northern side of Rick Roberts Way, to creating a better environment in the surrounding area.
2. Do you have any plans to redevelop the rest of the site?
  • Yes, although our plans for the rest of the site, which includes the remaining buildings and Mercedes garage, are at an early stage. Further information will be shared with the local community in due course.
  • Our current focus and this consultation is only focused on the plans for the Phase 1 site.
3. What is the business park currently used for?
  • In recent years, the site has been used by a variety of businesses including, industrial, logistics and commercial operators, as well as a printing press.
  • There are currently three businesses on site, which you can find further information about on ‘our proposals page’
      • Kesslers international (where the Phase 1 site is located), has operated a warehouse for a number of years, as an industrial and logistics space. There is also a 163-space car park associated with this unit.
      • The retail operator Travis Perkins has also been at the park for several years.
      •  A Mercedes garage, which is used to service and fix vehicles as well as warehouse space.
      •  One of the buildings is currently vacant as the former business, St Clements Press, vacated the premises earlier this year.
4. How will you manage traffic to the business park, especially during peak times?
  • We will be submitting a Travel Plan, outlining how we intend to control the inflow of vehicles to and from the site.
  • We are looking to reduce the number of car parking spaces at the site from 163 to 16 (-147), to minimise vehicle movements.
  • Staff will likely work on alternating shift patterns, arriving and departing the site at different times throughout the day. Handovers of shifts will be conducted outside of peak travel times, to further help us manage the flow of vehicles and potential disruptions.
  • Once construction works are completed and the workspaces are occupied, vehicle movements will be managed by the individual tenants.
5. How will vehicles access the site?
  • In line with the current arrangements, vehicles will continue to access and depart the site through Rick Roberts Way, via Stratford High Street.
  •  Drivers will be discouraged from using residential roads such as Kerrison Road and Wise Road. Vehicle Routeing Plans will be issued to employers and suppliers.
    6. Overall, will more vehicles move to and from the business park?
    • We anticipate a reduction in vehicle movement to and from the site due to the significant reduction in car parking spaces proposed
    •  The scheme has been designed to accommodate larger vehicles, including HGVs, but we anticipate future occupiers will likely use small vans and cargo bikes due to the location of the site and nature of their operations. Most potential occupiers are converting their van fleets to electric vehicles.
      7. How will you manage activities in the development during the evening?
      • The proposed site will operate 24 hours a day as per the existing site, but there will likely be less vehicle movements to and from the site during the night time
      • We will be submitting a Night-time Economy Management Plan as part of the planning application, outlining how we intend to reduce the impact and disturbances to neighbours.
      8. What types of vehicles do you expect to be transporting goods to and from the site?
      • The scheme has been designed to accommodate larger vehicles, including HGVs, but we anticipate future occupiers will likely use small vans and cargo bikes due to the location of the site and nature of their operations
        9. What impact will the proposals have on the local community, especially properties that neighbour the site around Kerrison Road and Wise Road?
        • With all our projects, we work with communities to put in place the right designs and management plans to ensure any impacts are reduced as far as possible.
        • We are exploring a variety of options on how we can manage this here, including the potential installation of acoustic barriers along the site boundaries at Kerrison Road and Wise Road.
        • You can also find out more information by looking at exhibition materials here.
        10. Can you provide an update on the future building heights for the workspaces?
        • The new buildings will be consistent with the heights of the existing warehouse, ranging between 11 – 14 metres.
        11. How many jobs will be created through this project?
        • Up to 388 new jobs will be created through the redevelopment of the site, including during the construction phase of works.
        • We will also be exploring the possibility of providing traineeships, apprenticeships and work experience for students and local people.
        12. When will you be submitting a planning application?
        • We hope to submit a planning application in early 2023.
        13. When will you start construction on Phase 1?
        • Should our planning application be approved, we hope to start construction on Phase 1 towards the end of next year.
        14. How will you keep residents informed about the project as construction works progress?
        • We will ensure local residents are regularly notified about ongoing works via:
        • A regular series of newsletters will be distributed to the local community, detailing current and upcoming works – with site contact details displayed for residents.
        • A dedicated project Resident Liaison Officer will also be available for people to contact should residents have any questions about the construction programme.

        Want to find out more or have another question? Read our exhibition materials on the ‘Our Proposals’ page or get in touch with the team via the ‘Have your say’ page