Industrial for sale in Land At Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable LU6

Key Points

Description

The total site measures approximately 6 22 hectares 2 52 acres), which includes the Brewers Hill Depot site, on the north west side of Brewers Hill Road The site and buildings were built and first occupied in 1989 by the Central Bedfordshire Council as their HQ.

Watling House consists of a 3 storey vacant office building (former Council offices) with associated land and car parks Brewers Hill Depot site was previously local authority highways repair and maintenance depot buildings on the depot site are expected to be demolished and a cleared site will be provided ahead of sale.

Watling House is of steel frame and brick construction, with reinforced concrete slab flooring, and a cross hipped pantile tiled roof The windows are double glazed with grey coated aluminum frames throughout.

The office building has a Gross Internal Area ( of approximately 77 091 sq ft 7 160 sq m) and a Net Internal Area ( of approximately 56 003 sq ft 5 203 sq m) The dilapidated trade buildings on the Brewer’s Hill Depot site have not been measured as these are due to be demolished.

The main building is accessed through a reception area, which offers lift access and internal staircases leading to three blocks of office space. The office areas are currently stripped out but predominantly open plan There are two lifts in the property, which are round a central staircase and fire escape core. The building could be refurbished for office or residential/senior living/care use, or alternatively, demolished and redeveloped.

The site and buildings are not Listed or in a Conservation Area.

Location

Dunstable, a town with history dating back to the Roman times, is strategically located in Central Bedfordshire borough, offering excellent transport connections and a thriving local community It is approximately 8 km from Luton, 30 km from Bedford and 55 km north of London.

Dunstable has a population of approximately census).

The site is prominently located on High Street North (A 505 a key arterial route in and out of Dunstable, a short walk from Dunstable town centre which offers a range of local shops, restaurants, cafes, and essential community services.

Transport Links The site is highly accessible The direct link to the M 1 provides routes to London the midlands to the north, making the site very accessible for commuters and businesses alike Luton Railway Station is approximately 5 miles south east of the site, and offers direct frequent services to London St Pancras in under 40 minutes Luton Airport, is 8 miles distant, providing domestic and international flights A number of local and regional bus routes run along the High Street North.

Surrounding Area, Facilities Local Development The surrounding area is a blend of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities Nearby attractions include the Grove Theatre, Dunstable Leisure Centre, and several parks, providing ample recreational opportunities. The site is close to major retail outlets and supermarkets, including an asda Superstore, Dunstable Shopping Centre and a range of local businesses as well as the Incuba serviced
offices building to the north west of the site.

The site is also well served by local educational institutions, including Priory Academy and Dunstable College Additionally, Dunstable Health Centre and other medical facilities are nearby There has been substantial residential development in the area, with the Printworks Development on Brewers Hill, a social housing scheme and further along the High Street is the Bloor Homes scheme The adjoining site to the south of North Station Way is being promoted for residential development of 50 houses.
Site Access The site is accessible from multiple entry points, with the main access being from Brewers Hill Road and Westfield Road, off the A 505 Brewers Hill Road runs between the main Watling House site and the Brewers Hill Depot, which could create a natural split for site uses, if desired.

Planning

The existing use class for Watling House is E(g)( i Office Use (previously B 1 We understand the existing use class for the Brewers Hill Depot Site was previously Sui Generis ––“No class specified” covering a wide range of uses including theatre, amusement arcade, funfair, launderette, petrol station, sale or display of motor vehicles, taxi business or vehicle hire, a scrapyard, breakers yard, storage or distribution of minerals, as a hostel, waste disposal installation for the incineration, chemical treatment or landfill of hazardous waste, retail warehouse club where goods are sold, a night club, a casino, a betting office or pay day loan shop, pub/wine bar or drinking establishment.

Local Plan- The Central Bedfordshire Local Plan was adopted in July 2021. The Plan sets out a vision for how the area will develop in the future up to 2035. The policy map does not designate the site for any specific use and there is no Planning Brief for the site. Hence it has fantastic potential
for a variety or mix of uses, including residential, (the Local Plan outlines a substantial need for housing in the area during the period to 2035), Senior Living, Care Home, Extra Care, Healthcare, Commercial, Industrial, Trade, Leisure, Retail, Self Storage/Open storage and assorted other
“alternative sector” uses, or a mixed use development.

Within the framework of the Local Plan the site provides a magnificent opportunity to explore a diverse regeneration scheme, or a large single use scheme on what is a significant and prominent development site in the heart of the town.

Sale By Informal Tender

Offers will be sought for the freehold interest with full vacant possession on a Subject to Planning or Unconditional basis.