Business

By Andrew Diprose

editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk 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 4.85acre 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 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, 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. Stuart Pratt, director at Godwin Developments, said: “The recent boom in takeaway food consumption and hyperlocal 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.” The planning application has been prepared in partnership with planning consultants Pearce Planning, architects Ophir and engineers HSP as the agent. Further details on the Woodbury Park development can be found at woodburyparkbereregis.co.uk.

McDonald’s set for Bere junction

SITE PLAN: Woodbury Park at Bere Regis and Stuart Pratt and Claudine Tracey of Godwin Developments

Firm’s biofuel switch reducing vehicle emissions

A Sherborne based food supplier claims to have reduced its vehicle emissions by 76 per cent. Since March, Hunt’s Food Group, based in Ludbourne Road, has invested in converting its delivery truck fleet to run on biofuel made from vegetable waste and used cooking oil. Hunt’s claims that converting the vehicles has reduced the firm’s carbon footprint by more than three quarters. Phil Hopkins, Hunt’s transport director said: “We are excited to be one of the first in our industry to be efficiently using a clean, renewable fuel to power our fleet. Not only does it help make our daily operations as a business cleaner, but in turn with the soaring cost of fossil fuels like diesel it will help to keep prices down for our customers. We are looking forward to trialling fully electric delivery trucks in the future and implementing new technology to reduce our emissions and achieve our environmental commitments.” Hunt’s Food Group has said it wants to be carbon neutral by 2025.