Rushenden Link Road Preparation Works
22nd October 2008 ON THE ROAD TO REGENERATION
15th September 2008 200 NEW JOBS SECURED AS FIRST MAJOR EMPLOYER LOCATES AT QUEENBOROUGH AND RUSHENDEN
February 2007

ON THE ROAD TO REGENERATION

15th September 2008

After months of planning and negotiation, construction work at Neats Court, the employment area at the heart of the Queenborough & Rushenden Regeneration project, is finally to start on site this week. The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has appointed contractors Edmund Nuttall Limited to carry out Phase 1 works at the site, which sets the Regeneration project on its journey. The initial phase of works is to prepare the site for development.

Commenting on the appointment, SEEDA’s Senior Development Executive for the Queenborough and Rushenden Regeneration Project, Nick Young said: “We are very pleased to have Edmund Nuttall on board. The company is focused on providing the highest professional standards and has a strong track record in delivering results. From an early stage in the contract, Nuttall’s team will make employment opportunities available to local people.”

Jim Morgan, Nuttall’s Regional Manager added: “As a local company, many of our workforce live in Kent and we are very much looking forward to becoming part of this committed and enthusiastic community. We are delighted to be working with SEEDA and its partners on this visionary Regeneration project.”

The aim of the site preparation and related work is to prepare the 69 hectare site at

Aldi is planning to develop 500,000 sq ft for its new regional headquarters and distribution depot, which will create around 250 new jobs. It is planned that its new HQ will be a two-story office hub plus warehousing for dry, chilled and freezer goods which will be surrounded by landscaped grounds, perimeter water features including ponds and lagoons fronting the A249.

AmicusHorizon, the umbrella organisation for a number of housing landlords and subsidiaries is currently located in Kent, Surrey and East Sussex but, will be moving its operations to a new ‘design and build’ headquarters on the Neats Court site. The company will be building a unique rectangular-shaped HQ office, which will be sympathetically designed and incorporate environmental features.

Nick Young said: “The site preparation and related works at Neats Court are the just the beginning but put us firmly on the road to delivering this exciting regeneration project ? turning it from a vision into a reality. We will work with Nuttall to minimise disturbance to residents during construction, and the Nuttall team will ensure that there will be extensive environmental monitoring of noise, vibration, and dust levels, as well as considerate traffic management of vehicles.”

For further information, please contact: Linda Stevens on Tel: 01892 775 777 or Mobile: 07774 164 837 on behalf of South East England Development Agency

Notes to Editors:

About the Queenborough & Rushenden Project:

Partners in the Queenborough & Rushenden Project include the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Swale Forward, Kent County Council and Swale Borough Council.

About SEEDA:

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is the Government funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.

About Edmund Nuttall Limited:

Edmund Nuttall Limited undertakes the full range of civil engineering activities for large and small-scale projects, employing the best human, technical and financial resources to ensure the best quality and cost effective solution for its clients.

Neats Court

for future development by German supermarket giant Aldi and local company AmicusHorizon, and also make ready for the enabling works for the

Rushenden Link Road