Bruntwood submits plans for Booths Park extension

PROPERTY company Bruntwood announced today it has submitted a planning application for three new office buildings at Booths Park in Knutsford.

Permission is being sought for three new office buildings – one two-storey and two three-storey to be constructed on brownfield land currently used as a car park.

Offering additional underground car parking spaces, the new offices would provide Bruntwood’s customers with flexible space, totalling 17,822 sq m.

The plans also include the provision of a new free bus service to enable staff members to travel from the site into Knutsford town centre, to add to its provision of free bikes for use around the park and the town centre.

If approved by Cheshire East Council, the new offices would have the potential to accommodate up to a further 1,300 employees.

Chris Roberts, development director at Bruntwood said: “We’re submitting our application following consultation with residents, local councillors and the existing customers at Booth Park.

“Local people we have spoken to appreciate the need for us to expand. The existing offices are currently fully let and around half of our customers will require additional space within the next three years.

He added: “There are a significant number of companies from the knowledge industry on the site which we want to keep here. If there is no space available, many footloose globalised businesses will look outside of Cheshire East for new sites and Knutsford will risk losing key businesses and jobs.

“We strongly believe that this expansion would result in significant economic benefits for the town, including helping to further boost business for local traders.”

Located on Chelford Road, Booths Park has been owned by Bruntwood since 2004 and incorporates a range of buildings, including the now modernised Georgian manor house Booths Hall.

The Park is home to 60 companies from a variety of sectors including international, knowledge-based organisations such as AMEC, Mastercard, Computer Softwarre Group (formerly Iris) and Alstom Power.

If the application is approved, construction of the first office building will start once the first building is pre-let.

Bruntwood is advised by planning consultants Indigo Planning, architects BDP, transport planning specialists Vectos and economic development and regeneration consultancy Regeneris.