Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership has launched its Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme prospectus promoting the benefits of Aviation Business Park as an employment site to businesses looking to expand or locate their business in Bournemouth.
Almost £40 million, secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the ‘Dorset Growth Deal, is funding a series of transport and infrastructure investments around Aviation Business Park and Bournemouth Airport. The major renewal of the A338, the key link road to the airport, was the BIG Programme’s first infrastructure improvement; the next stage of transport projects is currently under consideration*. With the A338 works complete, activity is focussing on promoting the area as an attractive, well-established and successful business destination in the south coast region.
Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership said: “The BIG Programme prospectus promotes the benefits of Aviation Business Park to companies looking to expand or establish their business premises. Strategically located at Bournemouth Airport, it offers one of the most significant and exciting investment opportunities in the south of England and is Dorset’s number one priority for employment and economic growth. Commercial property developer Stoford has recently secured funding for a 160,000sqft unit at Aviation Business Park. Its prestigious airport base coupled with excellent local, national and international connectivity makes it an attractive business location.”
John Twigg, planning director for Manchester Airports Group (MAG) which owns Bournemouth Airport and Aviation Business Park said: “Aviation Business Park currently supports over 200 individual businesses and has a strong reputation as a key specialist aerospace and manufacturing hub. MAG Property is heavily investing in Aviation Business Park which offers 60 hectares of prime, well-connected development land and high-quality, flexible business premises for both local and multi-national companies.”
Further information:
The BIG Programme brochure is available online; or email caitlin.callaghan@magproperty.co.uk for a hard copy.
Businesses interested in locating at Aviation Business Park should contact harvey.greenman@magproperty.co.uk
*BIG Programme – what’s next?
Following the successful completion of the major renewal of the A338, the Bournemouth International Growth Programme is examining the next stage of transport and infrastructure projects to transform access to and around Bournemouth Airport, Aviation Business Park and Wessex Fields. A number of projects are currently under consideration to see which will deliver best value and keep driver disruption and impact on business to a minimum. These include potential developments at Wessex Fields (including improved access to Royal Bournemouth Hospital), Blackwater junction, Hurn roundabout and Chapel Gate. The BIG Programme expects to have a clear idea as to details of its next planned transport schemes by September. Further progress announcements will be reported at this stage.
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership – sensible phasing of infrastructure projects
Additional infrastructure improvements, funded through the Dorset Growth Deal and secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, are currently underway to improve access into and around the Port of Poole. These works have been timed to start after the completion of the BIG Programme’s A338 road improvements to keep driver disruption and impact on business to a minimum.
Notes to editors:
1 Launched last year, the BIG Programme is a major economic growth plan focused on employment and development around Bournemouth Airport. Over four years a series of transport and infrastructure investments will:
- Transform accessibility to and around Bournemouth Airport through extensive transport improvements;
- Release up to 60 hectares of prime, flexible employment land for high-quality new business premises at Aviation Business Park;
- Business space design and build options available from 10,000 – 400,000 sq ft;
- Provide the single largest employment opportunity in the south east Dorset conurbation with the potential to create up to 10,000 new highly skilled jobs over the next decade;
- Generate up to £500 million of GVA into the area;
- Deliver around 350 new homes of which up to 50 per cent are affordable;
- Deliver increased broadband capacity to Bournemouth Airport and Aviation Business Park;
- Develop a new approach to improve skills and employee development, better tailoring it to the needs of key business sectors (aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing, digital media, marine, defence and financial services).
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is overseeing the BIG Programme in collaboration with Aviation Business Park, Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth University, Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, Dorset County Council and Manchester Airports Group.
2 £39,500,000 has been allocated to fund the BIG programme. This is part of the £79 million funding secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s ‘Local Growth Deals’.