Planning permission has been granted by Carlisle City Council for Kingmoor Park’s ModVillage. This modular village will be created from shipping containers, ideal for growing and start-up businesses.
Since the project launch in January, Kingmoor Park has been inundated with enquiries from local businesses. The development promises to bring something different to Cumbria’s only Enterprise Zone.
Commenting Kingmoor Park’s Managing Director, Neil McIntyre, said: “We have been really encouraged by the volume of enquiries that we have received so far from local businesses. We have an example container on site that is fully kitted out and have shown lots of people around. The response has been really positive and people are surprised by the amount of office space a container gives. The container offices are also energy efficient and affordable which adds to the attraction.
ModVillage offers the perfect solution for those who are looking to take on an office for the first time, or grow their existing business. The hope is that a community of like-minded businesses will be developed as ModVillage grows and we hope it will become a place where people can collaborate, share ideas, and work together. I am delighted that planning consent has been granted and we can get to work on making this vision a reality.”
This initial phase, which has been architecturally designed by Revolution Architecture – part of the Prospus Group – will consist of 24 offices and a café. Prospus Consulting prepared and managed the planning application for the development.
Galloway Modular Construction (GMC), based in Newton Stewart, will convert and supply the containers. GMC specialise in creating contemporary offices, retail units, and luxury holiday accommodation.
It is hoped that the new development will create a vibrant space for local businesses to grow, and flexible lease terms and additional support should see tenants flourish. Indoor and outdoor communal areas will create great spaces for collaboration, with on-site parking and great transport links an additional bonus.
Infrastructure preparations are now underway, installing, water, electric, and broadband to ensure that the site is ready for its first container which the team hope will be on site this summer.
Alistair Fell, Director of Prospus Property, the sole agent for the development said; “We’ve had interest from a wide-range of businesses so far, including recruitment agencies, landscape gardeners, and IT technicians as well as creative companies such as graphic design and marketing businesses. We have also had a lot of interest in the proposed café which is really promising as this could serve the wider site as well as the development.
Now that we have planning permission, we are keen to prepare the site ready for the first occupier and we are confident that it won’t be long before all the containers are in situ.”
The containers are made from Corten Steel which possesses excellent weathering resistance. This advantage is due to the formation of a protective oxide coating which seals the surface against further corrosion. If chipped or damaged the coating repairs itself to give continuity of protection and appearance.
They can be remodelled to a bespoke specification with external cladding, windows, doors, insulation, and internal fit out. They can be extended simply by bolting on another container and can be easily transported. The containers are also incredibly strong – each one can carry 30 tonnes of cargo and be stacked six high fully loaded with the bottom container supporting a weight of 150 tonnes.
Neil Mcintyre, comments: “ModVillage will benefit from a prime position on the Kingmoor Park Enterprise Zone where we have seen the completion of our first major, multi million pound development. of 19 high tech business units, which were funded by Kingmoor Park Properties Ltd and European Regional Development Funding, this was swiftly followed by the completion of a brand-new Mercedes showroom. Judging by the quality of these developments and others in the pipeline, ModVillage will bring a unique quality to the Enterprise Zone and will be in excellent company.”
