5 March 2007

Gwent's £100m Celtic Springs Business Park gets £3/4m boost

Celtic Springs Business Park is getting a £750,000 investment to enhance its image as the iconic business location adjacent to junction 28 on the M4 motorway in Wales.

A central feature of the work is a the creation of an eight spur, illuminated, five metre high water fountain creation in the lake to the west end of the £100m business park.

Architecturally designed to an agreed parkland setting master plan the new work at Celtic Springs includes extensive tree and shrub planting and the  creation of extensive grassed areas and footpaths.

Work on the eye-catching project work, aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the prestigious business park, is due for completion by the end of April.

Celtic Springs Business Park is being developed by joint venture partners AWG property and Monmouthshire-based Broadhall in conjunction with Newport City Council, and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Iain Logue, Operations Director at AWG Property, said: “This investment in the infrastructure and landscaping, including the impressive water feature, will enhance the facilities that are already present or are planned for Celtic Springs Business Park.

“The park already benefits from an excellent location at Junction 28, of the M4, and has superb communication links. The £3/4m is adding further to the quality of the park, reflecting the confidence we feel as developers in this truly unique and outstanding location for business in Wales.”

The business park is being marketed jointly by Newport based Hutchings & Thomas and Knight Frank.

Robert Carew-Chaston, Chairman and Managing Director of Hutchings & Thomas, who manages the park on behalf of the developers, said: “The £3/4m investment in the infrastructure, added to what is already on site and to the exciting developments which are now underway, will further strengthen the appeal of the business park as the inspired choice for those seeking an unrivalled business location.”

The ground-breaking business park already houses HM Prison Service, which is creating some 500 jobs at Phoenix House, the new headquarters for Wales & West Utilities, where a further 500 people are employed work and the Midas Group Ltd.

Work has recently started on exciting new projects at Celtic Springs Business Park which include a £11m, five star, 120-bed Ramada Plaza hotel,  a speculative, three storey, six winged 35,000 sq ft office complex and a eighty place children’s day nursery.

Altogether these new schemes could create some 500 further jobs for the business park.