A computer generated image of the proposed Woodbury Park commercial development at Bere Regis.
Published: July 6, 2022 | Updated: 27th October 2023
UK property developer Godwin Developments has submitted a planning application for a new commercial development at a key transport intersection creating up to 250 jobs.
Proposals for Woodbury Park on a prominent 4.85-acre site in Bere Regis include four purpose-built drive-thru and drive-to roadside retail units.
Restaurant brands Popeyes, Starbucks, and McDonald’s are already lined up to take space, which has been designed to their specifications.
The scheme will also feature a 12,000 sq ft block of up to eight industrial units, with associated parking and turning facilities.
The units will be two storeys high, with the flexibility to combine into larger floorplates, if required by potential tenants.
The block will be built speculatively and will target BREEAM Very Good, including features such as air source heat pumps, low energy lighting, and highly efficient building fabric.
The site is off the Townsend Roundabout, at the northern entry point of Bere Regis, and has a high passing traffic flow of more than 27,000 daily vehicles.
It occupies a key location at the intersection of the A31 and A35 alongside the main arterial route connecting Poole and Bournemouth to Dorchester.
The anticipated 250 employment opportunities will primarily be in retail, distribution and logistics, as well as services, manufacturing, technology and the creative industries.
Several EV charging points will also be installed, the first in the area.
Claudine Tracey, pictured left, Development Manager at Godwin Developments, said: “The site’s high traffic flow, lack of similar offering close by, and proximity to existing Shell garage and trade park make Woodbury Park a sought-after location for a range of occupiers – including coffee and quick service restaurant brands.
“We are also delighted to be delivering the UK’s first Popeyes drive thru as the company expands its footprint in this country.
“In addition, our development will deliver a variety of local employment opportunities for Bere Regis through the provision of flexible industrial and logistics space suitable for new and existing businesses.
“The scheme at Bere Regis showcases Godwin’s unique capability to successfully combine industrial and roadside retail to maximise a site’s potential through complementary uses.”
Stuart Pratt, pictured right, Director at Godwin Developments, said: “The recent boom in takeaway food consumption and hyper-local convenience shopping is bringing ever more exciting brands to the roadside retail sector.
“At the same time, demand for industrial and logistics space is continuing to grow with units of varied sizes – including trade parks – experiencing a substantial lack of supply.
“For these reasons interest from investors into both sectors has been very strong in the past year; and we expect the trend to continue throughout 2022 on the back of strong consumer fundamentals.”
The planning application has been prepared in partnership with planning consultants Pearce Planning, architects Ophir and engineers HSP Consulting.
Ogle Property LLP acted as the agent.
Godwin Developments has commercial and industrial divisions with developments in Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Dorset and Cambridgeshire, alongside a strong UK-wide pipeline.
Its commercial division develops and delivers projects for leading brands such as Lidl, McDonald’s, Burger King, Euro Garages, Greggs, Starbucks and Costa Coffee, with 16 units delivered to date and a further pipeline of 31 units.
At the same time the team works closely with electric vehicle charging providers, helping power the UK’s low carbon future.
