The former Vauxhall Aftersales site in Chalton, covering a vast 58 acres, has been approved for redevelopment, with the potential to create up to 1,500 new jobs. Goodman Logistics Developments (UK) Limited, the developer behind the project, has successfully secured permission to amend six of the initial planning conditions.

Previously, the site off Luton Road housed a large three-storey warehouse and several other buildings, including offices, dedicated to the storage and distribution of automotive parts. As part of Vauxhall Motors Limited’s restructuring, this facility was closed.

The redevelopment proposal, as presented to Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee, outlines plans for a flexible industrial, storage, and distribution space, complete with access and parking facilities. The new design sees an increase in the floorspace area to 134,549sqm, a rise of 18,549sqm from the original plan. Notably, 65,000sqm of this space is earmarked for a data centre.

Planning officer Peter Vosper highlighted some of the changes, including a 1m height increase for specific elements, such as equipment or building features. Additionally, there are plans to introduce upgraded bus stops on Luton Road and establish a connection to Luton borough’s national cycle network.

Chalton Parish Council has voiced concerns about the proposed data centre, particularly potential noise disturbances from cooling plants and backup generators.

Simon Flisher, representing Goodman Logistics, commented on the employment prospects, stating that the site’s redevelopment would likely generate around 1,500 jobs, as indicated in the original planning application. He further noted that while no specific tenant for the data centre has been identified, such facilities typically offer a diverse range of skilled technical roles. The brownfield site’s location, adjacent to other industrial areas and with excellent commercial traffic access, makes it an ideal spot to draw a local workforce without impacting nearby residents.