Could a 40 bedroom Premier Inn, Greggs, Burger King and possibly even a Brewers Fayre be on the way to Wisbech?

Wisbech Standard: Wisbech Gateway: Map of the proposed development on the 9 acre site at Wisbech that will include a hotel, restaurant and other food outlets. Picture; MAXEY GROUNDS .Wisbech Gateway: Map of the proposed development on the 9 acre site at Wisbech that will include a hotel, restaurant and other food outlets. Picture; MAXEY GROUNDS . (Image: Archant)

That was the speculation today after it was announced that a nine acre site that has held planning consent for 20 years for such a scheme has been sold to a company with a reputation for getting things done.

Godwin Developments has clinched a deal to buy the Cromwell Road/A47 roadside land off an asking price of £2.75 million.

The company confirmed the purchase and released a photograph of their development manager signing the deal with the Wisbech agent who sold it.

The site has consent for a hotel, pub, service station, gym and offices but over the past 20 years, despite much optimism, not a single brick was ever laid.

Wisbech Standard: Wisbech Gateway: Map of the proposed development on the 9 acre site at Wisbech that will include a hotel, restaurant and other food outlets. Picture; MAXEY GROUNDS .Wisbech Gateway: Map of the proposed development on the 9 acre site at Wisbech that will include a hotel, restaurant and other food outlets. Picture; MAXEY GROUNDS . (Image: Archant)

That is all about to change with Godwin Developments, a fast growing national company, favouring roadside developments.

One of their most recent involved the Brampton Hut A1/A14 service area that includes a Greggs, Subway, Starbucks and Burger King with a BP Connect filling station and truck park, a Brewers Fayre restaurant and Premier Inn hotel close by.

Ketan Patel, development manager at Godwin Developments said: "We have identified this location as a key strategic point in the road network for the region."

John Maxey, senior partner of Maxey Grounds & Co, selling agents for the vendors said: "I am pleased to see further investment in Wisbech, which continues to grow as an important market town serving the Fenland area."

Wisbech Standard: Wisbech Gateway: Map of the proposed development on the 9 acre site at Wisbech that will include a hotel, restaurant and other food outlets. Ketan Patel, development manager at Godwin Developments John Maxey of Maxey Grounds who acted for the vendors. Picture;GODWINWisbech Gateway: Map of the proposed development on the 9 acre site at Wisbech that will include a hotel, restaurant and other food outlets. Ketan Patel, development manager at Godwin Developments John Maxey of Maxey Grounds who acted for the vendors. Picture;GODWIN (Image: Archant)

He expected the development to provide "significant additional employment, as well as a range of business premises for the area in a prominent and accessible location."

The site is the latest project to be added to the Godwin Developments portfolio which already contains a diverse range of commercial, residential, and mixed-use property assets in key regional locations.

In 2006 a previous application from Gracechurch Retail Developments Ltd - that is no longer trading - said the roadside scheme would be welcome by road users and boost local employment.

"The proposals represent an opportunity to promote Wisbech as a vital and viable destination to both invest in and visit, through facilitating a high quality development in this key gateway location," they told the council.

A fresh planning application is likely to clarify the final mixed use development that Godwin wants to deliver.