Phase 1 at Daedalus Waterfront takes off

Press Release 16th April 2025

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Blanchard Wells and Patron Daedalus Ltd are delighted to announce a partnership to

deliver the first phase of the Daedalus Waterfront project, kick starting the project and delivering on our vision to create jobs and opportunities for the area first. Phase 1a remains part of Daedalus Waterfront and delivers on the original vision.

 

Blanchard Wells, who deliver civil engineering and concrete frame projects across
the South of England and are celebrating 25 years in business, will be building a new
enhanced manufacturing facility at the North of the site, next to the airfield.

• This announcement marks the first step towards delivering the vision for Daedalus
Waterfront and the Development Company’s objectives for the project; first, to bring
jobs and opportunity to the area, second to preserve historic buildings and celebrate
the site’s significant history and third, to support the Hovercraft Museum and nurture
it as a successful destination – all of which will ultimately restore this community’s
pride in HMS Daedalus.

• By early 2027 this new facility will feature a state-of-the-art Technology Centre,
dedicated to manufacturing precast lift cores, stairs, and columns using marketleading
reduced carbon concrete. This cutting-edge facility has already sparked
interest from key industry and government bodies and will position Blanchard Wells
at the forefront of Modern Methods of Construction in the Southern Region.

• Following that, Blanchard Wells intend to launch a Construction Hub—an inspiring
office space that will bring together our Blanchard Wells professional teams with local
design and construction specialists including structural engineers, architects, thermal
modelers, highways experts, landscape designers, and sea defense consultants.
They also plan to support local start-ups through the creation of a Construction Hub
Network, which Blanchard Wells will lead.

• Blanchard Wells have already helped to establish and run training through nearby
CETC, an Award-winning and state-of-the-art training facility providing a fully
operational and realistic groundworks and civil engineering training environment.

• The first, commercial phase of Daedalus Waterfront is called The Sir Douglas Evill
Enterprise Zone, named after the first commandant of RNAS Lee-on-the-Solent, who
played a key role in the Battle of Britain. Blanchard Wells has purchased Phase 1a,
adjacent to the airport and control tower, and will be submitting a new planning
application, in partnership with Daedalus Waterfront, to bring forward this new facility.

• Other phases of this historic site will see barracks restored and converted into
modern, mixed-tenure housing, and the Hovercraft Museum, home to the largest
collection of hovercraft in the world, reinvented to become a world-class visitor
attraction. The project is estimated to bring, in total, 240 full-time job opportunities to
Daedalus Waterfront on completion, and the Blanchard Wells partnership will
contribute to this total.

 

​To read the full Press Release Click Here

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www.daedaluswaterfront.co.uk