The application covers the 160,000 sq ft head office facility for aircraft painting firm Air Livery, the access infrastructure and an outline application for the remainder of the site Norwich AeroPark, the joint venture project announced in July last year between Norwich International Airport and Wrenbridge created to develop 100 acres of land at Norwich International Airport, has made a significant step forward today with the submission of a hybrid planning application for the site’s development, which is hoped to deliver 1,000 new skilled jobs for the region.
The application seeks permission to build a new five bay hangar and head office facility for aircraft painting firm Air Livery, and the associated access roads from the public highway. There is also an outline application for the development of the remainder of the 100 acre site which is expected to accommodate up to 860,000 sq ft of aviation related development in total.
Public consultation events held in November 2012 in the Airport’s terminal building were well attended. Feedback forms filled out by attendees indicated that the large majority were in favour of the plans, citing economic growth, skilled employment and growth of the Airport as major reasons for support. The detailed design work for Air Livery’s facility is being managed by Morgan Sindall Professional Services (MSPS) who bring a wide range and depth of experience to this major project. MSPS used the feedback from the public consultations to improve the design and layout of the AeroPark.
The application will be considered by both Norwich City and Broadland District Councils as the site straddles the district boundary. It is hoped that the application will be determined in the summer this year.
The submission of this application follows the Airport’s separate application for a state of the art engine testing ground run facility which was granted permission by Norwich City Council’s planning committee earlier this month.
Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International Airport, said, “We are satisfied with the progress we are making with Norwich AeroPark, and we remain on track to meet our development timetable for Air Livery’s facility. A huge amount of work has gone into the design of the various elements of this application, ensuring we took the views of the public into account. This project is now gathering momentum and, coupled with the permission we have secured for a first class engine testing facility, brings us another step closer to our vision of an aviation centre of excellence for Norfolk”.
John McHale, Associate Director of Wrenbridge comments; “The planning submission is a major milestone, underlining the good progress made in the last 6 months by the Professional Team led by Morgan Sindall. We continue to work hard to attract further occupiers to Norwich AeroPark site and look forward to working with Broadland District and Norwich City Councils and the stakeholders during the planning determination period.”
David Dukes, economic development manager at Norfolk County Council, said: “This is a really important development for the Greater Norwich economy. Of course, it will facilitate the growth of one of our major companies, but the opening up of 100 acres of new employment land provides a high quality investment opportunity which will generate considerable interest. The County Council looks forward to working with the airport to promoting it world-wide.” Brenda Arthur, Leader of Norwich City Council, said, “I welcome the submission of the planning application as an important step forward for this project which would provide much needed jobs in north Norwich. It is a major scheme and people can now have their say on the application as it has been published for consultation.”
