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Kraft hangs ‘for sale’ sign on Cadbury Somerdale

US food giant Kraft has confirmed that it is selling off Cadbury's iconic Somerdale site as a mixed-use residential development.

BNP Paribas has been instructed by Kraft to undertake a freehold sale of the 220 acre site, of which 64 acres is described as ‘developable'.

Following the decision to close Somerdale, the agent said Cadbury (now Kraft Foods) and its project team had worked with the local authority to identify redevelopment options for the site.

Around 600 residential units - with 20,000m2 of employment space - could be provided on the site, said BNP, alongside the relocation of the Fry Club (a sports and social club for local residents).

Andrew Taylor, director in development and residential consulting at BNP Paribas Real Estate said: "We have been working with Cadbury and subsequently Kraft Foods for a number of years to identify development opportunities for the brownfield site.

"The site represents a unique opportunity for a mixed use scheme that which could contribute massively to the local demand for housing and generate significant job opportunities."

But Cadbury heiress Felicity Loudon, who opposed Kraft's £13.5bn takeover of the firm and claims to be starting a chocolate venture of her own as a result, told The Sun newspaper: "The 400 employees at Somerdale took Kraft's word at face value. Now this - it's heartbreaking."

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