Clearing the way to give old Pfizer site in Sandwich new lease of life
Discovery Park in
Sandwich is enticing large and small businesses to fill vacant
office space
by Beth Robson
Demolition of some of the former Pfizer buildings could
begin within months to tempt international multi-million pound
companies to east Kent.
An application has gone to Dover District Council from new
owners Discovery Park Ltd, who want to rid the 1.5 million sq ft
site of the "outdated" and long-abandoned yellow brick
buildings.
If permission is granted, work could start at the Sandwich site
early in 2013 and last 19 to 20 weeks.
Discovery Park managing director Paul
Barber, pictured left, said: "The application follows our
recent announcement detailing our vision for the site, which is to
create a sustainable mixed-use community centred around the
world-class science and technology facilities."
Built in the 1980s, the nine ear-marked properties preceded the
multi-million Millennium phase of development by Pfizer.
The Millennium structures, which includes the enormous Building
500, will stay – potentially housing banks, call centres and
general office space for any size or type of business.
The application is part of Discovery Park's
drive to create 3,000 jobs by 2017 – and it is hoped an
announcement will follow before Christmas that a big name will move
to the park.
It has also been hinted the site is perfect for a
science-based university.
Local construction firms will be favoured to dismantle and tear
down the buildings.
Dover District Council chief executive Paul Watkins said: "The
proposals for a structured programme of demolition is not
unexpected.
"We appreciate why Discovery Park, having reviewed the estate,
has concluded that a number of the buildings are no longer fit for
purpose."
Pfizer, now with 600 staff in Sandwich, rents a portion of
Building 530, off Ramsgate Road, along with some of the site's 14
tenants.
Demolition sites at the
Discovery Park are marked with red dots
These include LGC, Mylan, Paramstat and Peakdale Chemistry
Services. Most are science-based and are able to make use of the
equipment that Pfizer left behind.
Adjacent to Building 530 is Building 902, a pilot manufacturing
plant, still needed by Pfizer and an added attraction to drugs
manufacturing clients.
Mr Barber added: "There is a lot of secrecy among science
companies because it is all about inventions, but we are opening up
the park for anyone to use whether it is a small new company of one
or two people. And we are offering more flexible leases."
19/11/12
- Click here for more news from across the county...