Pictured above: Axis Point perspective

Birmingham based Trebor Developments and Wrenbridge Land have announced the execution of a development agreement with public sector partner, Dacorum Borough Council, for the Maylands Business Centre (formerly known as Axis Point) in Hemel Hempstead, with phase one including a new office innovation centre and 18 industrial starter units.

Trebor/Wrenbridge have also announced the appointment of Morgan Sindall to undertake the construction, with work expected to start on site in September 2010. 

Maylands Business Centre is a key regeneration project, located within a mile of the M1 motorway.  The scheme has benefited from grant funding through the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and is likely to be one of the final funded schemes through the Agency. Planning consent was granted early in 2010 and site demolition and clearance was concluded in May. The development is one of a very few speculative office/industrial schemes that will be progressed across the UK in 2010.

Planning consent has also been granted for an additional 28,000 sq ft industrial unit for Axis Point phase two, known as Maylands Link, and this space is now being marketed to prospective occupiers by joint agents King Sturge and Aitchison Raffety.

Bob Tattrie, managing partner for Trebor Developments, said: "We are delighted to be developing this key scheme in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council.   It is a prime example of how to effectively deliver new office and industrial accommodation that supports the Local Authority's objectives in terms of assisting new businesses to set up and grow in the area.

"Other Local Authorities across the UK could benefit from following this model, which will help to kick-start regeneration schemes in an environment where almost no new speculative developments are proceeding. Local Authorities must work with the private sector to find innovative partnership solutions or we will see a lack of good quality and sustainable accommodation for businesses in future years."

Jeff Wilson, director at Wrenbridge Land, added: "There is a limited supply of units from 20,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft in Hemel Hempstead, and we see both Maylands Link and the Innovation Centre and starter units as an opportunity to deliver buildings the town really needs."

Councillor Stephen Holmes, portfolio holder for Planning and Regeneration at Dacorum Borough Council, commented: "The Council aims to help new businesses start, develop and thrive in Maylands, and the Maylands Business Centre will be key to supporting Dacorum's businesses and the local economy. The Centre will combine training and incubator units to make a joined-up service for new start-up businesses.  It will be a community-centric business centre where local businesses, particularly small ones, will have access to facilities like meeting rooms and networking opportunities, which they would not have on their own. It will also provide incubation units of a flexible size. Once businesses have outgrown the space, there will be move-on support - either into one of the larger incubator units or out into the wider Maylands Community.

Greer Roberts, EEDA Area Director for Herts, Beds and Luton, also commented: "EEDA are delighted to be making this investment which will result in a well designed, highly sustainable building offering support for the businesses at Maylands Business Park  The incubator units will provide premises for small businesses, the innovation centre will provide a one-stop shop for business advice and there will be industrial unit space together with car parking and communal areas. Maylands makes a significant contribution to the economy as there are over 700 businesses on site who employ 20,000 people. Investments such as this are part of the long term regeneration plans following the damage caused by the Buncefield explosion in 2005".