The Wilky Group, whose property portfolio includes Fetcham Park where the company is also based, is co-sponsoring and participating in the Gatwick Diamond Economic Summit in Crawley on 20^thJune 2019 where it 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.

John Atkins, consultant to the Wilky Group on the company’s strategic landholding adjacent to Gatwick Airport, will make the first presentation at the event. John gave the keynote speech at the 2015 summit when he introduced the principles of Airport Cities and the Aerotropolis concept and how co-located airport development can drive regional competitiveness and employment opportunities.

This year, John will be looking at how, by 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 approach will bring together Local Authorities, the LEP (Coast to Capital) and Transport for the South East and Business – collectively, responding to the Government’s productivity challenge by developing a blueprint to meet this aspiration and need to rebalance the local economy.

Mr Atkins will also refer to the Wilky Group’s property market, demand-based study which shows a potential demand for 6-9 million square feet of accommodation at Gatwick for office, industrial, warehouse and hotel uses, and a range of educational facilities to meet the identified medium-long term needs of the region, all of which validates the need for a strategic employment site to be co-located at the Airport.

Sally Fish, property director at the Wilky Group 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 and enhancing local prosperity through an exemplary, sustainable environment for diversified employment and training – creating a win-win proposition.”

To find out more visit: www.gatwickdiamondsummit.com and www.wilky.co.uk