About this property

Detailed Description

The property is owned on a freehold basis by the Borough Council and totals c.0.30 Ha (0.73 acres). Historically the property comprised two parcels, as described below. The council expects bidders to deliver both parcels together as part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the property.
Sommerfeld & Thomas former warehouse - Comprising a Grade II listed 18th century warehouse. Works to complete repairs to the listed Sommerfeld and Thomas building and to remove a large 1950's steel portal framed building have been completed in 2023, leaving the building in a safe and secure state. This part of the property totals 0.17 Ha (0.41 acres). Title no. NK322916.
Former Grain Silo Site - The area has been cleared, with the exception of the foundations of the silo bases. This part of the property totals 0.13 Ha (0.32 acres). Title no. NK318519.
The property is bordered to the south by Devil's Alley, a historic path through to Nelson Street and South Quay. It is located near the town's medieval core that includes a Minster (origins 12th century) and streets with significant architectural heritage, including Hampton Court located directly to the east of the property. The area is popular with tourists and overlooks the River Great Ouse.

Location

The property is located in the market town of King's Lynn, overlooking the river Great Ouse on south Quay. South Quay is within walking distance of the King's Lynn centre. King's Lynn is host to a train station with direct links to both Cambridge and London King's Cross. The town is primarily accessed by road, mainly via the A47. The King's Lynn waterfront has been earmarked for regeneration, in policy 9.1.5 E1.8 KLR of The King's Lynn and West Norfolk Local Plan Review (2016-2036). The vision being that the property would provide the key to unlocking the waterfront's future potential, activating the area and leading to further regeneration.

Accommodation

The property has the following (approximate) gross internal/net internal floor area:


Overall: sqm ( sqft)

Business Rates

Tenants are advised to contact the Local Authority in order to confirm the amount payable as the property may be eligible for some form of transitional relief.

Viewing

Strictly by appointment with the Selling Agent.

VAT

Awaiting Confirmation.

Legal Costs

Each party will be responsible for their own legal costs incurred in documenting the sale.

Other

The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk seeks to invite proposals that will deliver the objectives for the property, set out below, and give confidence of deliverability.
Comprehensive and complementary redevelopment of the property to deliver the wider regeneration ambition of the historic and currently underutilised waterfront in King's Lynn.
Ensure development is delivered on the property and the borough council's objectives are met in a timely way.
Bring to life a redundant part of the waterfront through the introduction of a range of uses, including commercial and leisure, that will attract new visitors, create a sense of place and, boost the town's nighttime and leisure economy.
Retention and enhancement of historic Grade II listed Sommerfeld and Thomas warehouse building.
Act as a catalyst for investment and development in the town centre and surrounding area.
Enable the council to realise its investment in the property.
To create a seamless and compelling interface with the provision of new public realm to the south of Devil's Alley (due to complete March 2026).
Support wider vision and objectives of the Town Investment Plan and the wider programme of works benefitting from funding through the Towns Fund

PLANNING POTENTIAL
The property was allocated in the 2016 Property Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan as an area for potential residential development (Policy E1.8). In this allocation there was a preference for the retention of Devil's Alley and emphasises on the importance of sensitive design and massing. The property also features in The King's Lynn & West Norfolk Local
Plan Review 2016 - 2036 (pre-stage submission 2021), Policy 9.1.5 E1.KLR. Although there is reference to residential uses in the allocation the borough council will strongly consider overarching policy E1. KLR which states the following uses would be widely acceptable for development across the Waterfront Regeneration Area:
Residential
Commercial/Offices
Cultural
Cafés/Restaurants
Shops
Community uses
Open space
Entertainment/Recreational/Leisure activities
The property has been included within The King's Lynn and West Norfolk Local Plan Review (2016-2036) documentation as part of the waterfront regeneration area (Policy 9.1.5 E1 KLR). The policy has aspirations for a high calibre mixed use scheme that maximises the use of the brownfield elements of King's Lynn, utilises the potential of the river front area and increases the King's Lynn day and night time economies for both residents and tourists.

PLANNING HISTORY
Sommerfeld & Thomas former warehouse There is no planning history on this part of the property, other than the application to remove the steel portal framed building and make repairs to the warehouse.
Former Grain Silo Site
An application was submitted in 2006, for a 39 bedroom hotel and ancillary accommodation. Reference No. 06/01073/FM and 06/01074/CA. A further application for a mixed-use development
was submitted by Landway Homes (King's Lynn) Ltd for 66 flats with ground floor space for offices, retail, a non-residential institutional use and assembly and leisure. This was submitted
in June 2008 and subsequently withdrawn in August 2008.
McCarthy & Stone submitted the most recent planning application on the Grain Silo Site in for 51 unit care home in 2014, planning was refused in the first instance and later granted at appeal. Reference No. 14/00534/FM.

Town Investment Plan and Towns Fund
The property has been identified as part of the Town Investment Plan, and will benefit from funding made available through the Towns Fund. The Towns Fund is providing resource to create a new public space and dryside facilities for the visitor pontoons on the site to the south of Devil's Alley and the borough council would invite bidders to propose ways in which this public investment could be enhanced and integrated into the redevelopment strategy for the property.
Southern half of the Former Grain Silo Site
This site lies to the south of the historic path known as Devil's Alley. The site has been cleared and totals 0.17 Ha (0.42 acres) and is owned freehold by the council. The site has been earmarked to provide a high-quality public realm area (the property is adjacent to the Millfleet) and is the focus of the Towns Fund funding. It is envisaged that this area could provide an opportunity for attracting footfall from the town centre and provide an avenue to the southern waterfront area where high quality outdoor (or partially covered) space could be used for informal food and drink/ street food/ temporary entertainment.

Survey Works
Extensive surveys of the property have already been undertaken to assess the ground conditions, archaeology,
services and drainage. A full list of all information available is outlined below.
Property Investigation Geotechnical Investigations Wall Inspection Report
Flood Risk Assessment Drainage Strategy Demolition Report
Desktop Utilities Search Historic Environment Desktop Study Topographical Survey
Inspection/report on Millfleet Wall Underground Utilities Survey Underground Voids & Structures
CCTV Drainage Survey Archaeological Report
Ground Penetrating Radar survey (GPR)