Vital land deal signed at Cuckoo Farm

Hundreds of jobs are set to be created in north Colchester following a crucial agreement being signed between developers and Colchester Borough Council. Top of the range, high quality industrial units will now be built at Cuckoo Farm.

Twelve acres of land have been sold by the council to London based developers Easter Group, marking an important step in the development of Cuckoo Farm. 

The site is next to the new Flakt Woods factory just off Severalls Lane. As well as developing the industrial units, Easter Group will also need to build a further section of road. As part of the agreement set out by the council, the developers will continue this section of road over to the boundary of the Community Stadium site.
 
Councillor Brian Jarvis, Portfolio Holder for Renaissance, said: "This is a significant milestone in the development of Cuckoo Farm. Not only does it offer further employment opportunities for the area, following the success of the Flakt Woods project, it will also ensure the delivery of the link road needed to serve the Community Stadium project. Clearly this is an important step in making sure the roads and services are put in place to support the Community Stadium project."

Easter Director James Dipple said: "I am delighted that we are now out of the starting blocks with this major project. The signing of the land deal and the applications we have made for planning permission put us on course for an early start on site. This is a very important site for us and we know the quality of our product is already attracting strong local business interest."
 
If all goes to plan, work on the new section of road will start in April with completion expected by October 2007. The first employment units could be completed by March 2008. For more information visit www.eastergroup.co.uk

The scheme will offer 195,000 sq ft of small to medium sized industrial units comprising:
* 11 high quality units ranging from 5,000 sq ft to 39,000 sq ft
* A small unit scheme:  these 21 units will range from 1,000 sq ft to
2,000 sq ft and will be let on a flexible basis to encourage local and growing companies.

Ends

Press release issued: March 15 2007