Yesterday (Wednesday 1st February 2023), Mid Suffolk District Councillors joined representatives from Jaynic, parish councillors and partners involved in the Gateway 14 development for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the first road on the site built by the infrastructure contractor Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd.
The road, named Gateway Boulevard, marks the completion of the main estate road into the new state-of- the-art business, innovation and logistics park from the roundabout on the A120 adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14 in Stowmarket, Suffolk.
The event follows hard on the heels of the ground-breaking ceremony held last Thursday (26th January 2023) to mark the start of construction of the 1.17m sq ft distribution hub for garden and leisure products retailer The Range that is set to create around 1,650 jobs for the district.
Gateway 14 Ltd (wholly owned by Mid Suffolk District Council) and development partner, Jaynic, will provide a new base for manufacturing, logistics and R&D businesses with a particular focus on innovation and sustainability at Gateway 14 as well as providing innovation space for smaller and start-up businesses that will boost the local economy and attract investment into the region.
Cllr Suzie Morley, Mid Suffolk District Council leader, said:
“The official opening of Gateway Boulevard – the main estate road for Gateway 14 – marks an important milestone for Gateway 14. The opening of the road comes just weeks after the start of the landscaping which will see mature trees, bushes, hedgerows, and a wildflower meadow creating a green and appealing working location for occupiers and businesses on the site.”
Sir Christopher Haworth, Gateway 14 chair said:
“The start of this year has already delivered positive and exciting milestones for the Gateway 14 development. Last week, we marked the ground breaking for the site’s first occupier, The Range, closely followed by the official opening of the main road this week. I envisage further announcements for Gateway 14 as we continue to welcome more businesses and the park becomes an exemplar of sustainable development for the region.”
Ben Oughton, Jaynic development director, said:
“With the road opening and fully-serviced development plots available for occupiers, Gateway 14 is set to become a major asset for companies looking for state-of-the-art facilities in the region.”
Gateway 14 benefits from being part of Freeport East, one of only eight Freeports in the UK.
The Freeport status will provide many businesses on Gateway 14 with a range of benefits including a suite of tax reliefs and simplified customs arrangements, together with partnering to deliver innovation and skills support for the wider community.
Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East said:
“The opening of Gateway Boulevard sends a strong message to potential occupiers considering Gateway 14 that the park is open for business and that its Freeport status will help attract new and innovative businesses to the region and provide extensive re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities.”
Gateway 14 will provide high specification buildings with sustainability a central feature including EV charging, LED lighting, solar PV, smart energy systems and rainwater harvesting. The development is committed to meeting BREEAM rating of Very Good standard and strive for Excellent wherever possible as well as delivering low carbon and net zero solutions where possible. The distribution facility for The Range will be designed to achieve BREEAM excellent.
Accessibility through and around the development is a key feature with significant walking and cycling routes being integrated along with access to public transport links and local amenities.
Biodiversity on the site is also a priority, with high-quality landscaping, green corridors and nesting boxes all being introduced across the site to support not only the wildlife and ecology but also to create a vibrant, attractive, and healthy working environment for employees.
For more information, please visit www.gateway14.com and www.freeporteast.com
PHOTO CAPTION: Cllr James Caston » Chairman of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, flanked on his left by Cllr Suzie Morley and on his right by Sir Christopher Howarth -Photographer Credit: Jake Sugden
