Masterplan for Northen Gateway Site to be unveiled at November Exhibition

Plans are being brought forward for the major redevelopment of the former RAF Sealand site in Deeside. Praxis Real Estate Management (PREM) has drawn up a masterplan for this strategically important site, which will attract major inward investment and could bring up to 5,000 jobs to the area over the next ten years.

The transformational plans will see the creation of a new vibrant business and residential community comprising elements of new housing, retail, leisure, manufacturing and industrial uses aimed at a broad range and size of business occupiers and potential homeowners. The first phases of the scheme which comprises 247 acres are being marketed by PREM to the commercial property market as ‘The Airfields’.

The masterplan for the wider Northern Gateway site is set to be unveiled at a public exhibition running from Thursday 3rd November until Saturday 5th November, the proposals aim to extend, and fully integrate with, the existing community at Garden City and build on the existing success of Deeside and the Deeside Industrial Park to create a new engine for regional growth. The proposals will also form the heart of the newly formed Deeside Enterprise Zone.

Praxis Holdings acquired 247 acres of the former RAF Sealand site from Defence Estates in 2010 and has worked closely with Flintshire County Council, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders in developing the masterplan for the whole 400-acre site. Members of the public are encouraged to come and give their views on the plans at the forthcoming exhibition which will be held in the Days Hotel Chester North in Garden City.

Peter Disley, Development Manager for PREM said: “Deeside has been a real success story over the last 20 years, with manufacturing thriving at Deeside Industrial Park and Broughton. The development of the former RAF Sealand site is well overdue and will provide a significant new opportunity for Deeside by attracting inward investment and providing efficient and modern expansion space for local businesses looking to grow.

“We are investing in Deeside and are committed to bringing forward an exemplar mixed use development that offers a good balance of housing and commercial space and critically, providing a sound platform to attract new jobs as well as safeguarding existing ones.”

The masterplan will show a carefully considered, planned and phased approach to the overall development of the site with areas coming forward over the course of the next 10 to 15 years. The plans will help to secure Deeside’s long-term future as the predominant commercial destination in Flintshire and North East Wales. Combined with the area’s newly acquired Enterprise Zone status, this will enable it to compete effectively with the best on the market over the border in England.

The public exhibition on the masterplan will be held at the Days Hotel Chester North on Welsh Road, Garden City over three days in November – Thursday 3rd November (12 noon – 8pm), Friday 4th November (10am – 4.30pm) and Saturday 5th November (10am – 4pm). Representatives of the full development team will be on hand at the exhibition to discuss the proposals and answer any queries. Leaflets with details of the exhibition dates and times will be circulated to households in the Deeside area next week (week commencing 17th October 2011).

Peter Disley continued. “The views of the people of Garden City, Deeside and the whole of Flintshire are very important to us. This public exhibition is an essential part of our consultation on the future of the site.

“We feel that we have produced an ambitious masterplan, one which is commercially deliverable and responds effectively to current market conditions. Our proposals are backed by strong financial resources, a hugely experienced professional team and we are committed to delivering results at the earliest opportunity.”

Any questions about the proposed scheme can be submitted to the Consultation Team by calling 0207 323 3544. Questionnaires will also be available for people to complete at the public exhibitions to provide their feedback. From 3rd November 2011, questionnaires will also be available for completion on-line at www.northern-gateway.com.

PREM intends to bring forward a planning application later this year. Subject to planning approval, work on the initial infrastructure and enabling works could start on site early in 2012, with serviced plots being brought forward towards the end of the year.