SEEDA - 200 new jobs secured as first major employer locates as Queenborough and Rushden

Two hundred new jobs have been secured at Queenborough and Rushenden on the Isle of Sheppey, with the announcement that multi-national supermarket chain Aldi is to build a 56,500 sq m regional office and distribution centre at this key regeneration site in the Thames Gateway.
In what will be one of the biggest shed deals of the year, Aldi has exchanged contracts with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to construct the centre on 13 hectares at the new Neats Court business park.
The announcement heralds the most significant private sector employment investment on the Isle of Sheppey for more than 40 years. It will also provide a major boost for the local rural economy as Aldi sources much of its fresh produce locally.
This deal follows the signing of a development agreement between SEEDA, (advised by Harrisons Chartered Surveyors) and The Crown Estate (advised by Cluttons LLP), which owns the Neats Court area and is actively supporting the regeneration and re-development plans. SEEDA will provide initial funding for site preparation and infrastructure and will project manage the scheme.
SEEDA has also submitted a masterplan to Swale Borough Council outlining proposals to build up to 2,000 new homes, 180,000 sq m of employment space, a new primary school, community and leisure facilities, open space. This is expected to be adopted in the summer and further interest is already being expressed in other sites on Neats Court. Later this year it is likely that
SEEDA will bring the first residential sites to the market.

Email: jaynemclaughlan@seeda.co.uk