Strategic Business / Leisure

Gatwick, Sussex

Wilky, acting for a landowning family trust, formed a consortium with The Crown Estate and Prudential to prepare a major business and leisure development at the gateway to Britain's second largest airport.

The consortium controls 120 acres between the M23 and Gatwick Airport. Neighbouring landowners who have expressed support for the scheme bring the total area available for development to over 250 acres.

The scheme being masterplanned by one of the leading British 'signature' architects meets a number of local and regional planning and economic objectives. It will:

• help diversify local employment opportunities, create higher-value jobs and attract and retain international companies; and
• contribute to the development of the area's already excellent public transport infrastructure, including extensions to the Fastway guided bus system through planning gain.

A dialogue with BAA will ensure the proposals are fully integrated with the Airport's plans from the outset. This could include improvements to the motorway junction, provision for new access roads for possible future expansion of the airport, passenger transport links and off airport facilities.