TWO new distribution warehouses near Didcot could bring 2,000 new jobs to Oxfordshire.

London-based Diageo Pension Trust Ltd yesterday announced plans for the distribution and logistics buildings on land west of Didcot Power Station, off Sutton Courtenay Lane, Sutton Courtenay.

Representatives for the firm say the proposed development will feature two separate buildings on a 62-acre site.

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council by the end of the month or next month.

The developers have not yet revealed what type of businesses would occupy the buildings, covering 1m sq ft.

Simon Leonard, a spokesman for the developers, said: “We are really looking forward to having a constructive dialogue with local people about our proposals to regenerate a key site in southern Oxfordshire.

“The state-of-the-art distribution and logistics facilities will provide an important economic boost to the local area.

“We have already undertaken a lot of work to ensure the proposed development is sensitive to the surrounding area. This includes comprehensive landscaping across the site, and careful treatment of a new access to mitigate HGV disturbance to local villages.

“HGVs will not be allowed to go through Sutton Courtenay and a new entrance to the site will be created so that this can be avoided.

“Part of the proposal will be installing physical measures on local roads as a deterrent to HGVs going through the villages.”

Mr Leonard added that Diageo was now in discussion with a number of companies, with a view to them occupying space in the warehouses, but could not reveal their identities at this stage.

He was unable to reveal how much Diageo is planning to invest in the site.

Diageo submitted an outline planning application to the Vale council in 2011 to build a storage and distribution warehouse on part of the same site and it was approved.

Mr Leonard said the firm is now preparing to submit a new planning application.

Father-of-one Callum MacKenzie, 58, who lives off Drayton Road, Sutton Courtenay, said: “I personally would welcome the potential for 2,000 new jobs to be created, particularly if they are in hi-tech industries.

“Residents will be concerned about the amount of traffic such a large employment site could bring to village roads, and I would urge as many people as possible to attend the consultation sessions.

“New jobs are obviously needed, but a development on this scale could put a strain on infrastructure in all sorts of ways.”

South Oxfordshire District Council leader Ann Ducker said: “When the planning application comes to councillors at the Vale it will have to be considered in the usual way.

“But it sounds like brilliant news that a firm wants to invest in southern Oxfordshire in this way.”

Sutton Courtenay Parish Council chairman Michael Jenkins was unavailable for comment.

  • There will be a public consultation at Sutton Courtenay village hall on Friday, June 14, between 2pm and 6pm and at Didcot Civic Hall in Broadway on Saturday, June 15, from 10am to 4pm.