The proposed office extension includes increased parking, an improved office space for staff and an enhanced VolkerWessels UK Academy to support extended training programmes for all levels of staff including apprentices. As part of the application VolkerWessels UK will also seek to develop a number of houses on the existing site.

In the lead up to the submission VolkerWessels UK consulted the local community and relevant stakeholders. Local residents and members of the community were invited to a public exhibition to give their feedback. In addition to the public exhibition, VolkerWessels UK wrote to local residents, briefed local ward councillors and created a website detailing the proposal.

VolkerWessels UK has had a presence in Hoddesdon since 1972 and now has an annual turnover of £850 million which is expected to increase to around £1 billion in the coming years. There are currently around 300 employees based in Hoddesdon and approximately 2,500 in the UK in total. It is estimated this will increase through future expansion plans.

The proposed homes will be a mix of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses. Some will be designated as affordable homes to assist more people onto the housing ladder and the scheme will bring some great innovations in off-site manufacture from VolkerWessels in the Netherlands, creating a way of living that will be both high-tech and environmentally sound. 

Alan Robertson, Chief Executive of VolkerWessels UK said: “We are delighted to have submitted our expansion plans to Broxbourne Borough Council. The office extension will support our growth plans in the UK, allowing us to invest more in our employees through an improved work space environment and increased training facilities. It will also bring significant economic investment to the local community. We are proud of our 40-year relationship with Broxbourne, and our plans will allow us to continue to play a part in the area for years to come.”