Manse Opus secures planning for over 1,700,000 sq.ft of development at Prospero Ansty, Coventry

Manse Opus is delighted to announce that it’s masterplan planning application for an additional 1,700,000 sq.ft of commercial use at Prospero Ansty, Coventry (“The Park”) has received unanimous approval at committee on 31^st March 2021. The application for a new employment area comprised of industrial and office space, hotel and retail and including car and cycle parking, structural landscaping, new access roads and any necessary demolition and ground remodelling. 

Following the approval Manse Opus will now seek reserved matters for Apollo 69/6, a 241,461 sq.ft speculative development , comprising of three state-of-the-art industrial units as well as a further 300,000 sq ft facility. These units will add to around 600,000 sq ft which has been delivered or is under construction at The Park.

Apollo 69/6 presents a superb opportunity for businesses looking to relocate and the occupiers will benefit from The Park’s stellar location at the junction of the M6 and M69 motorways in the centre of the “Golden Triangle” the centre of the UK’s manufacturing heartland. Apollo I, II and III will range between 66,216 and 103,531 sq.ft, with the opportunity to combine Apollo II and II to create a 169,747 sq.ft unit. The scheme will offer a total of 189 car parking spaces, clear internal heights of 12.5m, with both Apollo I and III having 8 docks, and Apollo II having 11.

Sustainability is at the heart of the design for Apollo 6/69 which is targeting BREEAM Excellent and an EPC ‘A’ rating, and it will offer 27 electronic car charging points and an energy monitoring ‘smart meter’ system. There is also a huge focus on health and wellbeing at the new scheme, with a high-quality landscaped environment, staff breakout spaces, energy monitoring ‘smart meter’ system and a trail run for the occupiers. The scheme will also benefit from The Park’s impressive features including security cameras, gate-controlled access and strong local amenities.

Set in 196 acres, with an end capacity of over 2,300,000 sq.ft of business space, The Park is one of the newest and most significant business parks in the country with easy access to the regional motorway routes. It is already home to major occupiers including MTC, Meggitt, Rolls-Royce, Sainsbury’s and Cadent who have chosen The Park as their central location for business operations and/or headquarters. 

Manse Opus’ recent deals at The Park include the award-winning 495,000 sq.ft new headquarters for Meggitt Plc, and the 90,000 sq.ft office building for Cadent which was one of the UK’s largest out of town office lettings in 2020 and is currently under construction and due to complete in early 2022. Cadent’s new high-spec HQ office building has been designed to meet BREEAM “Very Good” and fulfil the applicant’s aspirations to reduce carbon emissions. This includes significant provision of photo voltaic panels both on the roof and incorporated into the brise soleil; rainwater harvesting; optimisation of natural lighting via a light well; significant provision of charging points; extensive landscaping and sustainable drainage systems.

Jones Lang La Salle act as principal letting and sale agents on Prospero with DTRE having been jointly appointed with them on the speculative scheme.

David Mitchell, Managing Director of Manse LLP, commented “The launch of this project demonstrates our belief in the strength of the occupier market, due both the lack of such high quality accomodation and the outstanding location of this estate.”

Richard Smith, Managing Director of Opus Land, commented “we are obviously delighted that yet another phase of this highly successful development is building on the success already created by both the Meggitt and Cadent deals and a further 300,000 sq ft design and build to a local occupier also shortly to be contracted.”