ONE major tenant signing a pre-let agreement could kick-start the development of a futuristic eco-friendly business park based around the 1930s disused Hinchingbrooke water tower.

Planning consent for the distinctive green project was renewed when it expired a year ago, and Huntingdon-based agents Barker Storey Matthews believe it will prove popular.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest but not yet sufficient for [the Newmarket-based developer Landro] to go ahead,” BSM’s Alan Matthews told The Hunts Post this week. “We would need to get a reasonable proportion pre-let, but that could be just one major client.

“We’re still in a difficult letting market, but we won’t be for ever. If we were to press the button, it would probably let because it’s such an unusual building in such a good position,” he added.

Mr Matthews says of the 70,000 sq ft nine-storey Elevations Business Park, as it is to be called: “There is probably no better office location throughout the region than Elevations in terms of proximity – to town centre, train station, major road interchanges and the number of available parking spaces.”

At the centre of the scheme is the proposed Beacon water tower office conversion, a Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects scheme with final designs undertaken by YRM Architects. The development also includes two other office buildings and a regional conference centre.

Construction is estimated at 12 months once Landro begins work.

Managing director Guy Gredley, who bought the tower and surrounding land in 1997, told The Hunts Post: “This is not a folly: we intend to get it built one way or the other, and it helps that we are now clearer about the future of the A14 in the short term.”

In the meantime, the site is delivering an income from parking for commuters using the adjacent railway station.

major tenant signing a pre-let agreement could kick-start development of a futuristic eco-friendly office block based around the 1930s disused Hinchingbrooke water tower.

Planning consent for the distinctive green project expired a year ago, but Huntingdon-based agents Barker Storey Matthews believes the district council’s planners, who were enthusiastic for the original multi-million pound scheme, would back an application to renew the permission.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest but not yet sufficient for [the Newmarket-based developer Landro] to go ahead,” BSM’s Alan Matthews told The Hunts Post this week. “We would need to get a reasonable proportion pre-let, but that could be just one major client.

“We’re still in a difficult letting market, but we won’t be for ever. If we were to press the button, it would probably let because it’s such an unusual building in such a good position,” he added.

Mr Matthews says of the 70,000 sq ft nine-storey Elevations Business Park, as it is to be called: “There is probably no better office location throughout the region than Elevations in terms of proximity – to town centre, train station, major road interchanges and the number of available parking spaces.”

At the centre of Elevations is the proposed Beacon water tower office conversion, a Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects scheme with final designs undertaken by YRM Architects. The development also includes two other office buildings and a regional conference centre.

Construction work is estimated at 12 months once Landro renews the consent and begins work.