Plans for a prime commercial site in Dorset submitted

• Site to benefit from Godwin’s unique capability in hybrid industrial and roadside development
• Occupiers on site will include McDonald’s and Starbucks as well as the first-ever UK drive-thru for popular US restaurant chain Popeyes
• When completed the scheme has the potential to create up to 250 local jobs

UK property developer Godwin Developments announces it has submitted a planning application for Woodbury Park, a brand-new commercial development located at a prominent 4.85-acre site in Bere Regis, Dorset.

Proposals include four purpose-built drive-thru and drive-to roadside retail units, with renowned restaurant brands Popeyes, Starbucks, and McDonald’s 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 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, to name a few.

Situated off the Townsend Roundabout at the northern entry point of Bere Regis, the site benefits from a high passing traffic flow of over 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 Woodbury Park scheme will further Godwin’s commitment to local regeneration and job creation by enabling up to 250 new employment opportunities. Roles are anticipated to be primarily in retail, distribution and logistics, as well as services, manufacturing, technology and the creative industries. Local people will also benefit from the inclusion of several EV charging points, the first in the area.

Claudine Tracey, 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, Director at Godwin Developments, commented: “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 sixteen units delivered to date, with 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.

Further detail on the Woodbury Park development can be found at www.woodburypark-bereregis.co.uk.