CONSTRUCTION is well underway on a three-acre parcel distribution warehouse in Poole after planning permission was granted.
Developer St Modwen was granted permission, subject to conditions by BCP Council, last year to build a single warehouse alongside a multi-storey van deck on land at Sterte Avenue West to meet the demands of an unnamed parcel delivery firm.
Residents are speculating global technology company Amazon will use the site, however this is yet to be confirmed.
Some residents living near the site have speculated Amazon will take tenancy at the warehouse.
When asked whether they would operate from the new site, an Amazon UK spokesperson told the Echo they were unable to comment on “rumour and speculation.”
A section of the warehouse structure has already been erected and crews on site estimate completion will be in late September this year.
The land, positioned between the A350 and railway line, was allocated in the Poole Local Plan for employment purposes and will also house a multi-storey “van storage deck” alongside the warehouse, with space to park 633 vehicles used by the would-be occupier for distributing parcels around the area.
Nigel Pugsley, technical director for planning firm Terence O’Rourke, said there was “an urgent requirement” for such a facility in the region.
“The delivery of this development will deliver significant economic benefits for the local area, including construction and operational jobs and business rate income,” he said.
St Modwen’s architect UMC Architects said the scheme was “high quality” and would “stimulate economic growth and local investment” through the creation of new jobs.
Read more: Three-acre parcel distribution plans unveiled for Poole site
Poole Town ward councillor L-J Evans initially objected to the development, citing concern the building would become an “eye-sore” for those entering Poole.
Cllr Evans ultimately withdrew her objection after St Modwen representatives assured her a range of planting would take place in and around the site perimeter to maintain the visual and ecological amenity of the area.
A BCP Council case officer report said: “The building would be one of the largest in Poole and its scale and height would be apparent. However, it would be viewed within the context of the employment area and industrial buildings nearby.”
Approval for the plans have come at some cost to the applicants with BCP Council granting permission subject to a financial contribution of £349,000 to be spent on one or more sites within the Poole Harbour catchment area to compensate for the loss of habitat on the land, among other conditions.
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