Cody Technology Park
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Money trouble fails to stop data centre
November 23, 2009
PLANS to build a hi-tech enterprise and data centre in north east Hampshire are still in the pipeline, despite the parent company of the firm behind the scheme being in financial difficulty.
Kenmore Land Farnborough Ltd was given permission to build the complex on the Cody Technology Park on the border of Hart and Rushmoor this summer.
But campaigners thought the scheme could be scuppered this week following news that property group Kenmore has become the latest victim of the property crash by calling in administrators Grant Thornton.
National media reports said that Kenmore’s private equity arm has gone under, as has Kenmore Investments after the failure of a last-ditch management buy-out attempt by group managing director Rob Brook.
Reports also said the future is uncertain for the rest of the company.
Rob Caven, a partner at the administrators, confirmed that 21 companies within the group’s set up had been affected.
However, the administration will not affect the plans for Cody Park.
A spokesman behind the scheme said: “We are pleased to confirm that Kenmore Land Farnborough Ltd is not in administration and the intention is to progress with the development at Cody Park.
“This development, situated in a key strategic position between Fleet and Farnborough, remains one of the most significant planning consents secured along the M3 corridor in recent times.”
Kenmore will build 22 flexible light industrial units and two data centres on the 29-acre Ively Road site.
Hart District Council’s planning committee unanimously backed the scheme, despite it coming under fire from residents who feared it would ruin the strategic gap and cause gridlock on the area’s already congested roads.
Among those who objected was Steven La Pensée, of Wood Lane, Fleet, who pointed out that junction 4a of the M3 is already running at capacity.
He warned that the scheme would harm the strategic gap between Fleet and Farnborough and affect the nearby special Protection Area (SPA).
Philip Pell of McNaughton Close, Southwood, said the roads and junctions providing access to and from the site are already unable to cope, while Cody Astronomical Society was concerned about the effect light from the site would have on its observations.
Blackwater and Hawley Town Council also objected, due to fears over extra traffic, noise and light pollution and the effect on the SPA.
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