Wellingborough Gateway, Wellingborough

Firstplan secured planning permission for the redevelopment of this prominent gateway site in Wellingborough to deliver a new employment-led, mixed-use retail and trade park.

The site sits adjacent to Dennington Road Industrial Estate and, despite benefitting from several previous planning consents, has laid vacant for over a decade.  The permitted scheme will deliver over 1,300sqm of new floorspace comprising a trade and retail unit, car workshop, drive-thru coffee shop and 47 parking spaces.   As an out-of-centre allocated employment site, it was necessary to provide policy justification for the introduction of retail and town centre uses.  Through the submission of a robust evidence-based planning case, Firstplan were able to demonstrate that the proposed mix of uses will support the site’s primary function as an employment site and complement the adjoining industrial estate.  Firstplan also gained support for the introduction of a drive-thru coffee shop facility which ensures that the development is commercially viable and therefore deliverable.

Wellingborough Gateway will bring this redundant site back into active use and create local jobs.