Arlington Securities has signed up One 2 One Personal Communications for 41,806 sq m (450,000 sq ft) of offices on its Hatfield Business Park, with an option for another 27,870 sq m (300,00 sq ft). The deal is one of four which will account for 117,983 sq m (1.27m sq ft) of commercial space at the park.
‘E-grocery’ retailer Last Mile Solutions (LMS), in which John Lewis has a 40% stake, has taken a prelet on a 37,406 sq m (295,000 sq ft) distribution centre at the park. A scheduled hangar on the site has been taken by leisure and fitness group Next Generation Clubs.
Arlington has also entered into a contract with the University of Hertfordshire for the purchase of 10ha (30acres) on which to develop a new campus and 7.2ha (18acres) of sports grounds.
Arlington will construct 20,900 sq m (225,000 sq ft) of academic facilities and an auditorium. The University will develop the remainder of their site through a Private Finance Initiative and has made an application to Welwyn Hatfield Council for the first phase of the project.
The moves follow the granting of outline planning consent for a range of business, residential, retail, leisure and educational uses on the development at the end of last year. A reserve matters application has recently been submitted for the entire 69,675 sq m (750,000 sq ft) development.
Subject to planning it is anticipated that the initial development will be completed over the next two years with buildings becoming available from Spring 2002 onwards.
One 2 One already occupies 5,580 sq m (60,000 sq ft) in Titan Court on the Bishop Square development at Hatfield Business Park. The mobile phone company will decide on its option for the additional space by the end of 2001.
Strutt & Parker is agent for Hatfield Business Park.
EGi News 19/01/01
