A NEW strategic employment hub has been given the thumbs up by Wiltshire’s political leadership as it prepares to welcome its first occupants.

Ground works are now complete at Hawke Ridge Business Park, near Westbury, and an application for the first four units is currently with Wiltshire Council.

HPH, the Bath-based firm behind the £50 million scheme, recently welcomed Wiltshire’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property to the site.

Councillor Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, along with Ethandune Ward Councillor Jerry Wickham, were shown the progress achieved so far and given an update from Managing Director of HPH Lindsay Holdoway and Development Director Chris Wordsworth.

When complete Hawke Ridge Business Park will provide more than half a million square feet of highly efficient modern facilities, including office, warehouse and employment space and will support approximately 1,000 jobs.

Cllr de Rhe-Philipe said: “I am delighted to see the progress being made at Hawke Ridge Business Park, especially the recently completed roundabout and landscaping.

“This is a key employment site, as identified in the Wiltshire Council Core Strategy and I look forward to seeing how it will help support the ambitions of local firms and the positive impact it will have on the local economy.”

Work completed so far at Hawke Ridge includes a new roundabout, access roads, connection to mains services, landscaping, bus shelters and new signage.

Chris Wordsworth said, “It has been a busy 12 months and we are very pleased with how the site has evolved. We have received positive interest from a number of companies who have visited Hawke Ridge Business Park.

“As well as the Detailed Planning Application for the first four business units we are also looking at a potential second application for a roadside scheme.

“The next few months look to be a very exciting time for Hawke Ridge Business Park, which is now very much open, ready for business but more importantly ready to deliver.”

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