Work starts on Stratford 46 Business Park

IM Properties (IMP) has started work on its long-awaited £140 million mixed-use Stratford 46 scheme, with local and national occupiers showing strong interest in the 65-acre employment park.

Stratford 46 will offer a flexible and demand-led mix of high-quality logistics, office and roadside premises, aiming to create around 1,500 new employment opportunities, providing space for local companies to expand, including those based at Stratford’s Canal Quarter.

Located on the west side of Stratford-upon-Avon, the start of infrastructure work marks a significant milestone for IMP, with construction beginning on a new roundabout which will be the access into the scheme. This will provide direct access to the scheme from the A46, ensuring a well-connected destination for forward-thinking businesses.

In the meantime, IMP is working with local stakeholders to ensure the scheme supports skills and training initiatives, helping residents access opportunities created both during construction and once the business park is operational.

Lewis Payne, Development Director at IM Properties, commented: “It has been a long and complex journey to reach this point, with extensive discussions behind the scenes. However, interest from businesses has remained consistently strong, from those looking to expand in the area to new occupiers seeking prime space.

“This has helped to underline our strategy to push forward and satisfy the pent-up demand for business space along the M40 and M42 corridor across a range of sectors. With a clearer timeline now in place, we can progress formal discussions with potential occupiers eager to benefit from the location and access to a skilled workforce in the immediate vicinity.

“During construction we will be working hard to minimise disruption and keep the local community informed through newsletters and updates on our website.”

Stratford 46 is located just 9 miles from Junction 15 of the M40, providing a direct route to the M25 to the south and M42 to the north.

The scheme will be offering sustainable workspaces ranging from 20,000 to 300,000 sq ft for a single letting. They will target EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings and be Net Zero Ready, with integrated solar PV panels in place to help occupiers transition to Net Zero in Operation. Construction of the buildings will start in 2026.

Payne added: “The scheme is being developed in line with our Sustainable Futures framework, and as part of our broader commitments, we’ve gained planning permission for a new nature reserve which will be a dedicated seventeen-acre plot adjacent to the scheme.

“The nature reserve will turn agricultural land into a new eco-system to encourage native flora and wildlife to thrive, as well as creating new green open space for future occupiers of the scheme.

“Later in the year we will also be launching a community fund to support local charities and organisations, managed by the Heart of England Community Foundation. We have worked in partnership with Heart of England on various funds across our larger schemes.”