ProLogis, Slough Estates and Kier Property have been shortlisted for one of the largest mixed-use redevelopment opportunities on the market.
The three are vying to bring forward the redevelopment of Rolls-Royce’s redundant 65-acre East Works factory on the outskirts of Bristol.
The engine maker brought the site to market through Gerald Eve in February in a bid to part-fund a £75m redevelopment of its defence aerospace facilities at the adjacent Patchway site.
Mixed-use specialist Kier is expected to submit plans for a scheme combining offices, housing and leisure, while industrial developers Slough and ProLogis are proposing a business park and an industrial scheme respectively.
However, all three plans may face objections from South Gloucestershire council, which was expected to push for a mixed-use development but is now asking for less housing and more employment use. It has also voiced opposition to the scheme being distribution-led.
A council spokesman said: “We have been in discussions with Rolls-Royce regarding the masterplans of the three shortlisted parties, but our preference would be for a large proportion to be retained in general employment (B2) uses. We recognise that there may be scope for a small element of distribution use but we would not want the whole site to be used for this purpose.”
The site, which Rolls-Royce has occupied since the 1940s, is worth around £40m. A preferred developer will be selected later this month.
