The 4&20 Business Park is a site that is both strategically located for business and commerce and also as a gateway development for Faringdon. The development potential of the site has been driven predominantly from the local population and authorities that are supportive of employment uses in this location. Great opportunities exist to exploit the road frontage so as to maximise architecture, encourage commerce and reflect the historical market town of Faringdon.

Faringdon carried out a Market Towns’ Healthcheck in 2001/2002, as part of the Market Towns Initiative scheme, which was subsequently updated in 2007. The Healthcheck comprised detailed research investigating the economic, social, environmental and transport aspects of the town and its surrounding area. Faringdon was one of the first towns in the UK to carry out such a detailed survey, which is now used by many market towns both in the UK and overseas, to influence decisions that affect their future.

One of the key findings of the Healthcheck was a current requirement for around 1,000 jobs and this was further compounded by an existing lack of modern commercial space. In addition, and in order to remain sustainable as a centre for the surrounding villages, Faringdon identified a need to increase its future population, which will continue to fuel demand for modern commercial space.

The 4&20 Business Park was the preferred site for new employment development following a review commissioned by the Town Council in 2003, with over 80% of the population supporting the development proposals. This review in turn influenced the 2011 Local Plan which provided an employment allocation for the site. For further information refer to the planning section.

The 4&20 Business Park provides the opportunity to deliver a vibrant business community that meets the needs of both local and regional occupiers. The current planning application and accompanying indicative masterplan establishes a benchmark for an interpretation of a B1/B2 scheme. The masterplan is not prescriptive and great flexibility exists for a developer to deliver a wide range of commercial uses and building sizes subject to planning.