Wallingford: Environment Agency celebrates 20 years at Howbery Business Park

Howbery Business Park near Wallingford has celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first tenant, the Environment Agency (EA).

EA moved to Howbery Business Park in 1994 when it was known as the National Rivers Authority – before the Government formed the Environment Agency in 1995.

During its 20-year occupancy of Howbery Business Park, EA has more than doubled its number of employees to approximately 200, accounting for a quarter of staff employed by businesses at the park.

“Given the exceptionally busy start to the year, we wanted to celebrate its 20th anniversary at Howbery Business Park and also to commend the team for the fantastic work it is doing,” commented John Ormston, chief executive of Howbery Business Park.

He continued: “A lot has changed during the time EA has been at the park and Howbery has evolved to accommodate tenant needs, irrespective of business size and sector.  We are all very much looking forward to the development of Howbery over the next 20 years and to celebrating the big 40 with EA.”

EA originally occupied several small buildings on the park before moving to state-of-the-art building Red Kite House (35,000 sq ft) in 2005, designed and built to mirror Kestrel House occupied by park landlord, HR Wallingford.

Julia Simpson, area manager of the EA, said: “We have very much enjoyed working here and the site has proved to be a great location."

EA is a major occupier at Howbery Business Park along with HR Wallingford and GTI Media, which contribute to a total of 40 businesses on site with scope to expand further.

The Park offers both short-term lets and larger, long-term options in bespoke office builds.  Substantial development opportunities exist with planning permission granted for 140,000 sq ft of new office space.