Hayes residents are being asked their thoughts on how the former Nestlé plant should be redeveloped – which could see more than a thousand new homes built at the site.
The Nestlé factory, which produced Nescafé coffee, was sold to SEGRO plc in early 2015 , as the plant prepared to shut down with at least 85 redundancies.
The property developers, who bought the 30-acre site in Nestles Avenue for an undisclosed sum, have teamed up with Barratt London to launch consultation for the potential new homes and jobs.
SEGRO and Barratt London will work together with Hillingdon Council to achieve planning consent, with SEGRO eventually selling the land earmarked for residential to Barratt London.
Barratt London would then be responsible for delivering the homes and community space on the former coffee and chocolate factory site.
Potential for over 1,000 homes and 400 jobs in the area
SEGRO and Barratt London are aware of the site’s cultural heritage and will consult with the local community on its vision for the site to ensure that it returns to being a vibrant hub of activity.
As well as delivering over 1000 homes and 400 jobs, residents and local employees will be able to take advantage of a range of amenities, such as the open canal frontage and new community facilities.
Alan Holland, SEGRO’s business unit director for Greater London, said: “This is an exciting time for SEGRO as we embark on a new journey to deliver both first-class urban warehousing alongside a high quality residential scheme.
“London’s population is set to expand significantly over the next decade and with land supply diminishing rapidly, we understand the need to think creatively to meet the need for homes and jobs.
A planning application has not yet been submitted, but if plans are approved, work on the site will begin in 2017.
Mr Holland continued: “As experts in developing sustainable, modern industrial and logistics warehouse space we are delighted to partner with Barratt London who have a strong track record in taking complex sites and transforming them into great places to live.
“We will bring forward the space for jobs and businesses and Barratt London will bring forward the homes for Hayes.”
SEGRO, who are also behind a new hotel, restaurant and industrial unit in Uxbridge, say the regeneration will be a boost for the Capital as it “faces the challenge of building more homes to meet population growth”.
As a long term property investor and developer, SEGRO will be responsible for delivering 230,000 sq. ft. of modern industrial and urban logistics warehouses that have the potential to create up to 400 jobs.
SEGRO say they bought the 30 acre site in January in 2015 as part of it's strategy to “provide high quality urban warehousing to meet the growing demand from occupiers”.
Hayes is a 'prime location' with Crossrail arriving in 2019
Alastair Baird, Barratt London’s regional managing director, said: “This year we are set to complete around 2,000 new homes across London and this agreement with SEGRO will boost our pipeline of future projects.
“It demonstrates that our technical capability in delivering complex schemes continues to provide us with a competitive advantage in London.
“Working with SEGRO, we will draw on our experience to design and build a great place to live and work on this important regeneration site in Hayes.”
The site is in a prime location for business and residents.
It is less than a mile from junction 3 of the M4 motorway which offers easy access to the UK motorway network for regional distribution and to central London for urban logistics operators.
It is also next to the Hayes and Harlington railway station which will become a Crossrail station in 2019.
The factory opened in 1913, when it made chocolate, and was bought by Nestlé in 1916. It began producing Nescafé in 1939.
In its heyday in the 1950s, the factory employed some 2,000 people.
John McDonnell , MP for Hayes and Harlington previously spoke out over job losses in Hayes , as the factory was hit by the recession in 2012 .
The local community will have every opportunity to comment on the scheme when SEGRO and Barratt London launch their joint consultation this year.
For more information and to register your interest in the consultation, click here .
