New development to create 120 jobs (From The Argus)

New development to create 120 jobs

2:54pm Tuesday 28th August 2007 in News By Rachel Wareing

A £2.1million project to transform a former goods yard could create up to 120 new jobs.

Rother District Council is funding part of the redevelopment of Sidley Goods Yard, near Bexhill.

An application for the rest of the cash has been submitted to the Area Investment Framework (AIF), which distributes money on behalf of the regional government body South East England Development Agency (Seeda).

The AIF will consider whether the scheme would be viable without the funding before making any grant.

The plans include between 15 and 20 small, serviced units for new businesses and a similar number of standard business space units of between 50 and 150 square metres.

The council will own and manage the site. It will begin advertising the new spaces when building work starts next year.

The existing tenants will be able to stay until 2009, and the council will help them to find new premises.

Each building will be constructed using energy efficient materials in an effort to minimise the development's carbon footprint.

Staff from the council's regeneration team will start working alongside consultants in September to create a detailed design. The project is expected to be completed by 2009.

Councillor Deirdre Williams, cabinet spokeswoman for regeneration, said: "The redevelopment of this existing small industrial area with modern units designed to meet a variety of needs will prove to be a great boost to the local economy and provide much needed jobs for the area.

"This is just one of a number of important projects currently being progressed by Rother's regeneration team and demonstrates how the council is working hard in just one area to improve both the environment and the well being of the local community."

Other regeneration projects in the pipeline include landscaping of the promenade and refurbishment of the Colonnade and Marina Arcade, as well as a new hotel in the town centre.

There are also plans to expand the town to the north with 1,100 new homes and extra business space.

In 2009 the town's secondary school, Bexhill High School, will relocate to new premises in the north of Bexhill. The school's coffers will also be boosted by a £34million grant from the national Building Schools for the Future programme.

On the existing school site there are plans for leisure, training and business facilities, as well as housing.

How will the development improve Bexhill? Tell us below.