WORK is under way on a £14.5m scheme to build the biggest Audi terminal in the UK.

Poole Audi’s new premises will also be one of the largest in the world.

Ocean Automotive is investing in a four-acre brownfield site on Old Wareham Road to allow the company – which currently turns over £93.5m – to expand.

The scheme will take 14 months to complete, with opening due in June 2016.

Ocean Automotive’s managing director, David Kelly, said: “The new site will provide us with 60,000sqft of building area over two floors – that is three times the size of the current Poole Audi showroom, workshop and offices.

“The whole process took three years to complete as it was imperative that we found a site of a suitable size, and of course a sensible shape, that was located close to the current Audi Centre.

“Poole Audi has previously been redeveloped to capacity at its current site, which led to various logistical compromises. We will not be compromising in any aspect with the new development.

“In fact, we are providing our customers with facilities and services alongside new and used car sales, servicing and parts that exceed the premium brand expectation. We are taking the customer’s experience to a new level.”

The new showroom will display 24 new cars, with two HD display configuration rooms, 80 spaces for used cars and 325 service vehicle and storage spaces.

The new terminal will also have more than half an acre of rooftop parking for more than 100 cars, a 24-bay workshop alongside two MOT zones plus full valet and smart repair facilities.

Service, parts and MOT customers will drive into one of three lanes, under cover and climate-controlled. Customers waiting for work to be done will be able to choose from a first class lounge where they can get work done or a less formal lounge with refreshments, a gym and a spa.

Mr Kelly added: “The expansion of Poole Audi over the last 15 years has stretched the existing Ringwood Road facilities to the limit with 90 employees working in a building that was designed for 30."

He said the development would create 200 jobs and the company was already recruiting.

Bracken Developments, which owns the sight, is building the dealership, which was designed by Taylor Design Architects, and has appointed BDB Design Build Ltd as contractor. Sibbett Gregory represented the developer.