Plans lodged for new industrial estate in Sopers Lane, Poole

The 10-unit estate will create ‘flexible, highly sustainable and best-in-class’ industrial units at the land previously owned by Siemens off Sopers Lane.

The 10.7-acre brownfield site that was used as a part of the Poole Ordnance Factory during the Second World War was purchased last year by property developers Kingsbridge Estates, with plans to redevelop it.

Plans, which were expected to be new industrial and warehouse space, progressed to a public consultation earlier this year and now Tor&co have filed plans with BCP Council for full planning permission.

(Image: Kingsbridge Estates/Tor&Co/HNW Architects)

This would see the existing buildings, built between the 1960s and 1980s, demolished.

A design and access statement submitted by HNW Architects show 10 units of a range of sizes across the site.

• Read more: Public consultation for Sopers Lane development

The largest unit, unit 1, is located at the centre of the site and will cover 9,815m2, while units nine and ten are 1,881m2 and 2,400m2 respectively.

Units two through eight are a range of sizes, but are all less than 1,000m2 in size.

The statement said the proposal: “Redevelops an established brownfield site, replacing existing structures with new facilities more closely suited to current employment trends and with a renewed lifespan.

“It is identified as an existing employment area in the adopted local plan.”

(Image: Kingsbridge Estates/Tor&Co/HNW Architects)

It added: “The development enables new and enhanced local jobs and employment opportunities benefiting from its sustainable location for its wider labour pool and attractive environment.”

The units will comprise of stell framed structures with metal cladding on their walls and rooves, the statement said.

• Read more: Poole: Jobs to be created as engineering firm moves

There will be a total of 269 parking spaces provided at the site, of which 13 are disabled spaces. Parking will be provided at a ‘blended’ parking rate, which has been agreed with BCP Council during pre-application discussions.

Pre-application consultations with the council and residents raised concerns over large scale buildings at the northern and southern boundaries of the site, with the number of units reduced at the north.

(Image: Kingsbridge Estates/Tor&Co/HNW Architects)

Road access to the site will be from Technology Road off Cabot Lane.

Neighbour comments on the plans are welcome until August 27. There is no date set for a decision on the proposals.