Red Loft leads grant bid for office development

Regeneration consultancy Red Loft has led a successful bid for Braintree District Council for a £7m grant from the Get Building Fund.

The funding will contribute to the development of an innovative Enterprise Centre, the latest building at the council’s Horizon 120 business and innovation park in Great Notley, on the outskirts of Braintree.

Previously, Red Loft’s expert team led an accelerated process of design development for the council, successfully securing approval to a new capital budget, achieving a RIBA Stage 3 design freeze, and preparing and issuing the construction tender pack within just three months.

Red Loft has supported the Horizon 120 project since 2018, managing land acquisition and development, and this successful grant application is the latest in a long series of successes for the partnership , which encompasses overseeing the development of £57m of commercial developments, part of a long-term strategic investment programme by the council for the area.

Other major infrastructure works for the Horizon 120 Park included enabling the delivery of Europe’s first fully electric car charging forecourt, which opened in December 2020.

The delivery of the new Enterprise Centre, will be a significant provision for local businesses. Once complete it will comprise of a state-of-the-art co-working environment, a range of serviced offices and an equipped maker-space, plus meeting rooms, board rooms and event spaces. Construction is due to start on the Enterprise Centre in April 2021.

‘We are pleased to be continuing our long-standing partnership with Braintree District Council,’ said partner, Neil Jarvis.

‘Having worked on the Horizon 120 site since 2018, originally project managing land acquisition of the 26 hectare site, we are continuing to add value for BDC in 2021, with our teams able to provide an accelerated programme for the client – applying for, and successfully achieving, the £7 million grant in only three months. A major landmark for the site, the Enterprise Centre will be a valuable asset for Braintree; creating significant new employment opportunities for residents, and providing crucial support for local small businesses.’

Photo Credit – Supplied