June 2019
Collaboration is key for Gatwick Diamond success
The Wilky Group is co-sponsoring and participating in the Gatwick Diamond Economic Summit in Crawley on 20th June 2019. The privately-owned property company will outline the opportunity to align regional spatial strategies through a collaborative approach that will positively influence the development of the area and increase economic prosperity.
The first presentation will be made by John Atkins, a consultant to the Wilky Group. John will outline the company’s strategic landholding adjacent to Gatwick Airport. He returns to the Summit after giving the keynote speech in 2015 where he introduced the principles of Airport Cities and the Aerotropolis concept; how co-located airport developments can drive regional competitiveness and employment opportunities.
At this year’s event, John will discuss how, through working with The Wilky Group and key stakeholders, these principles can be applied to the Gatwick area, where there is the opportunity to align emerging regional spatial strategies to enable infrastructure to lead planned growth for the region.
This joined-up approach brings together Local Authorities, the LEP (Coast to Capital) and Transport for the South East and Business. Collectively, all parties will respond to the Government’s productivity challenge by developing a blueprint to meet this aspiration and the need to rebalance the local economy.
He will also make reference to the Wilky Group’s property market, demand-based study which shows potential for 6-9 million square feet of accommodation at Gatwick for office, industrial, warehouse and hotel uses. This also includes a range of educational facilities to meet the identified medium-long term needs of the region, therefore validating the need for a strategic employment site to be co-located at the Airport.
Property director at the Wilky Group, Sally Fish, says: “The Economic Summit is an exciting opportunity for us to present our demand-based findings and to explore how our research might positively influence the development of the Gatwick Diamond area.
Correspondingly, we are keen to engage with representatives of the Gatwick Diamond communities; to explore the opportunity for a strategic employment site for the long-term future of the region’s planned policy objectives. This could drive significant value towards infrastructure and housing delivery, together with a long-term annual income to the public purse; enhancing local prosperity through an exemplary, sustainable environment for diversified employment and training – creating a win-win proposition.”
To find out more visit: www.gatwickdiamond.co.uk and www.wilky.co.uk