National property consultancy Wakemans is underway with the first phase of development at Whittle Square, a £25m retail and residential scheme on the outskirts of Gloucester.

Wakemans is acting as employer's agent, quantity surveyor, CDM co-ordinator on behalf of developer Frontier Estates, which has a development programme of around five million sq ft with a value of more than £750m.

With a cost to build of around £6m, phase one of Whittle Square incorporates 6,700 sq feet of single storey retail space plus a four-storey building comprising 5,000 sq feet of retail space at ground floor level with 25 apartments above.   

As part of the works, Frontier are providing an extension to an existing Tesco Superstore, giving Tesco a presence on Whittle Square, underneath the residential units. Construction works commenced in November 2009 and is due to complete in January 2011. 

"This is our first project for Frontier Estates and we are delighted to be appointed on a major scheme which will be key to the ongoing regeneration of the area," says Wakemans Associate Director Steve Gascoyne.

In addition to its usual roles, Wakemans is taking on the added responsibility for driving the project to completion. As construction manager the consultancy will ensure the development is completed on schedule, oversee the various professional and technical appointments and manage the contractual elements of the construction programme.

Whittle Square is one of several developments taking shape at Gloucester Business Park, which benefits from easy access to the M5 and is within easy reach of Gloucester, Cheltenham, Cirencester and Swindon. It has been built on land formerly occupied by Gloster Aircraft Company and is a core part of the South West Regional Development Agency's strategy, which aims to promote inward investment and so regenerate the area.

Frontier Estates is continuing to negotiate with the local planning authority to deliver the second phase of its £25m mixed use scheme.