Disused Haverhill industrial site owned by West Suffolk Council to undergo £1.3m refurbishment

A contractor has been assigned to complete a £1.3 million refurbishment of a disused industrial site in Haverhill.

Lexden Contracts Ltd has been appointed to carry out the refurbishment of the former Clerkins site on the corner of Hollands Road and Bumpstead Road.

The site is owned by West Suffolk Council, which is undertaking the work to prevent the building from falling into further disrepair and to provide an opportunity for a business to move to or expand in Haverhill.

The refurbishment works will, say the council, see the unit be reconfigured and a new roof fitted with solar panels to upgrade the energy efficiency by increasing the amount of insulation in the walls and roof.

Work will begin later this month and should be completed by the end of the year. Activity on the site will be restricted to standard day time hours to reduce the impact on residential properties nearby.

Due to the works being undertaken under permitted development, no planning permission is required.

Marketing of the property is being managed by Cheffins in Cambridge and will continue throughout this period. There has, added the council, been some encouraging initial interest from potential occupiers.

Cllr Diane Hind, West Suffolk Council cabinet member for resources, said: “Two Hollands Road is one of the council’s commercial property assets which we hold as an investment.

“The council has allocated £1.3m to fund the refurbishment of the unit, with improvements optimising the utilisation of the site, creating conditions for new jobs and sustainable growth in Haverhill.

“The refurbished unit will also generate a significant income stream for the council, which helps fund important council services.”

A spokesperson for Lexden Contracts Ltd said: “Lexden are pleased to have been appointed to carry out the refurbishment. The planned works will bring the unit up to modern standards, improving its energy efficiency and usability.”