Roundswell Enterprise Park, Roundswell Enterprise Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31

Location
Roundswell Enterprise Park is located to the south of the main A39 between Barnstaple and Bideford. The site is an important business, distribution and manufacturing location with access to the North Devon Link Road giving an excellent road link to Jct 27 of the M5.

There is now an exciting opportunity to acquire four parcels of freehold commercial development land with the benefit of outline planning permission for B1 (new Class E), B2 and B8 planning uses, in the main business growth area for the town. The recently constructed Node Cowork building offering direct access to business support/advice is on the Enterprise Park.

Description
There are four parcels of land now available at the Roundswell Enterprise Park with the following approximate site areas:

Site 1 1.25 ha (3.09 acres)
Site 2a 0.52 ha (1.28 acres)
Site 2b 0.44 ha (1.09 acres)
Site 4 0.98 ha (2.42 acres)

Informal tenders are invited for the freeholds by 12 Noon on 7th October 2024 in accordance with the instructions detailed below.

Note: Site 3 has been sold for a small business unit scheme with construction currently underway.

Planning
The land has the benefit of outline planning consent for B1, B2 & B8 planning uses. (Application Ref: 62879).

Interested parties are advised to review the planning permission so they are aware of the necessary planning conditions attached to the planning permission.

Further details are available on the electronic data room detailed below.

Note: The outline consent was obtained prior to the amendments made with effect from 01 September 2020 to the Use Classes Order and interested parties should note that, whilst former A1, A2 & A3 uses are now included in Class E only former B1 uses will be unequivocally considered for the site.

Devon County Council have undertaken some reprofiling works to allow the formation of site plateaus for plots 1, 2 and 3 using material previously stockpiled on site, which was gained from the previous construction phase, so that they are more attractive to expedite future development. These works have been granted full planning approval. (Application Ref: 73086). A topographical survey post completion of these works, is included in the electronic data room. The County Council has also constructed a temporary car park on part of Plot 1, which is to provide parking for its nearby Node Cowork building during a recent completed building extension scheme to that centre. The County Council’s use of this temporary car park will cease prior to completion of the sale contract, and the County Council is prepared to remove the car park if requested by the Buyer.
All enquiries regarding planning should be directed to North Devon Council.

The Node Cowork has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and Devon County Council

Technical
There is an approved site wide drainage strategy which would need to be adhered to with any subsequent submissions.  The site lies within a Critical Drainage Area so there are stringent standards for drainage design. The ground conditions are not suitable for infiltration so all plots will require attenuation to manage the runoff for all events up to the 1 in 100 year plus 40% for climate change. 
There are drainage ditches running across the site through the east side of plot 4, east side of plot 2a and the east side of 3a, which will also require consideration. The requirements in DCC’s SuDS for Devon Guidance (2017) should be followed with any future plot designs (copy in the Electronic Dataroom, together with the 2018 Drainage Statement) and the attenuation requirements need to meet the drainage hierarchy in the building regulations.
There are two electricity sub-stations on the Estate and water is available in the vicinity. There is a gas supply to the Estate and if individual purchasers are interested in a gas supply to the plots further discussions will be required with Wales & West Utilities. BT ducting has been provided within the site.
 
Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves through their own enquiries to the relevant authorities as to the availability, suitability and capacity of services to the site.

The off-plot structural landscaping will be the responsibility of the County Council.

VAT
Interested parties are advised that the Vendor have confirmed (where they are able and not required by law) they will not take any steps to waive the exemption from VAT in respect of the land prior to completion of the purchase.

Business Support
Businesses interested in expansion or the development of a new operation in this location may be able to benefit from a range of business advice and support. The Devon Delivers Team at Devon County Council can also assist.

Rights of Way
The sale is subject to all rights of support, public and private rights of way, water, light, drainage and other easements, quasi-easements and wayleaves, all or any other like rights, whether mentioned in these particulars or not.

Tenure
The development land is available freehold with vacant possession on completion.
 
The sites will be available freehold with vacant possession on completion. Purchasers will be required to join the Estate Management Company to procure the long-term maintenance and management of the landscaping and surface water drainage system (attenuation ponds and drainage ditches running through some of the plots), and other shared services included signage etc. through a service charge.

The Estate road and surface water pipes serving it and foul drainage are planned for adoption and will thereafter be maintainable at public expense. Until such time as they are adopted they shall be included in the service charge.

Further Planning, Technical & Legal Information
Browne Jacobson are acting on behalf of Devon County Council in this matter. Copies of the planning permission, approved drawings, technical background reports, legal papers and draft legal documents are available via an electronic data room hosted by Browne Jacobson, Solicitors. To gain access to this site, please contact Mark Reynolds at South West Norse.

Interested parties are advised to inspect the development sites and to undertake their own full due diligence prior to submitting their bids.

Directions
From the M5 at Junction 27 follow the North Devon Link Road to Barnstaple. Follow the signs on the A39 to Bideford and turn left at the Roundswell Roundabout with the Enterprise Park immediately on the right hand side on the southern side of the A39.

Viewing
The site can be viewed from the road during daylight hours. Please inform Mark Reynolds of South West Norse when you intend to visit. Access into the plots can also be arranged if necessary.

Health & Safety
Care must be taken whilst viewing to avoid accident or injury. Save for death or personal injury caused by their negligence, neither South West Norse nor the Vendor shall accept any responsibility for any loss or damage, howsoever caused, whilst viewing the property and you are deemed to have accepted the terms of this disclaimer by entering onto the site.

Method of Sale
The land is offered for sale by informal tender with interested parties being advised of the Closing Date. Offers will be invited on a subject to contract only basis using a ‘Form of Offer’ – Draft form attached.

All offers must be submitted in sealed envelopes, marked as follows:
OFFER FOR SITE(S) AT ROUNDSWELL ENTERPRISE PARK, BARNSTAPLE
NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL AFTER 12 NOON on 7TH OCTOBER 2024
Envelopes should not bear any indication of the name or mark indicating the sender including by franking.
Offers MUST be submitted to the County Solicitor, Room G23, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD.
 
Offers should be made on the Form of Offer attached to the brochure and include the following information:
 
The financial offer
On which site(s) the offer is being made
Any conditions relating to your offer
Proof of funding and ability to proceed
Contact details of your solicitor

Terms of Sale
1. Offers are to be received by 12 Noon on 7th October 2024.
2. All offers received will be held unopened until the closing date.
3. Email or facsimile offers will not be considered.
4. Offers cannot be accepted by South West Norse either at its offices or by its employees.
5. The Vendor does not bind itself to accept either the highest or any offer received.
6. Acceptance of an offer does not form a legally binding contract between the parties.
7. Offers are to be for a fixed figure in pounds sterling and should be given in words and figures. They must not be calculable only by reference to other bids.
8. VAT will not be charged in addition to the purchase price.
9. Contracts to be exchanged within 20 working days of receipt of draft documentation by the purchaser’s solicitors with completion subject to the purchaser obtaining satisfactory detailed planning permission in accordance with the Heads of Terms included in the electronic data room. A 10% deposit will be payable on exchange of contracts.
10. Within 2 years of completion of the purchase of the land, the purchaser shall complete the construction of the consented scheme, as confirmed by way of an issued Practical Completion Certificate.

Tender Assessment
Interested Parties are advised that the tenders will be assessed on the principle that Devon County Council is looking to establish a high quality Enterprise Park with uses, which are complementary to the Node Cowork building within the Park. There will be a selection criteria for the bids based upon economic impacts, type of development and price.

A copy of the Marking Template is included in the electronic data room.