South Kesteven District Council to enter agreement with Burghley owners to create business park and homes on former Cummins site in Stamford
Plans for a new 35-acre business park and housing development near Burghley House have moved a step closer to reality.
South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) has now agreed to enter into a contractual Collaboration Agreement with the owners of the 16th century property.
Members of the authority’s cabinet wasted no time in backing a recommendation for the agreement at a meeting on Tuesday (January 21).
The proposals relate to 20 acres of farmland owned by Burghley Land Limited and the former Cummins site on Barnack Road, purchased by the council in March last year for £7.5m.
The two organisations feel that the adjacent plots would be far more profitable when combined into one 35-acre area known as St Martin’s Park.
Councillor Kelham Cooke, council leader, said: "We already have a list of businesses that are ready to move into Stamford and some existing businesses already in Stamford that want to grow. It is a gateway to Stamford and will create job opportunities and regeneration."
Documents presented to SKDC ahead of the cabinet meeting state: “The objectives and purpose of the two organisations are very closely aligned which ensures the long-term view in relation to design and quality is built into the partnership ethos from day one.
“There has been full agreement on the joint appointment of master planners and the necessary development team required to bring forward a scheme at pace.”
The main objective of the landowners would be to create space for a minimum of 500 jobs as part of a mixed-use development, the report says.
It would include residential, commercial and retirement uses along with public open space and infrastructure.
The council report continues: “This will result in high-quality development that will enhance the economy of Stamford, providing new jobs and varied living accommodation to meet the needs of the local economy and residents as well as improving and protecting the setting of Burghley House and its grounds.
“Burghley have an ambition to provide commercial business space on the site in their own right which, subject to agreement of terms, would mean they invest funds in these uses to provide a supply of modern business space to the district.
“The parties believe that working together and treating both sites as a single development opportunity will maximise the value and uses of both sites. The parties are working towards soft market testing the project in early 2020 with a view to submitting an outline planning application in mid 2020.”
