Approval for Sussex commercial hub

Planning permission has been secured by property business Dunmoore for a 21-acre commercial hub in Billingshurst, Sussex.Dunmoore’s development on a greenfield site south of New Road, which was purchased in late 2016 at agricultural value, will provide more than 200,000 sq ft of industrial and trade counter units and a petrol filling station with a drive-thru coffee unit.A hybrid planning application for the development has been approved by Horsham District Council, including detailed consent for the first phase, Billingshurst Trade Park, which will comprise 55,000 sq ft of speculatively-developed trade counter space. Outline permission was granted for the second phase, Billingshurst Business Park, which will comprise 150,000 sq ft of business space, the petrol filling station and drive-through unit.Dunmoore is aiming to start construction in September 2019 with completion of the first phase expected by July 2020.The company has already agreed a pre-let with Euro Garages for the petrol filling station and drive-thru unit and is in advanced talks with trade counter occupiers.The development site is north of a 500-home residential development currently under construction, with further residential allocations expected to be brought forward in the local plan in the coming months.