Signs of future development at Lancashire Central
Marketing signs have been erected at Lancashire Central, the major strategically important employment site, which is set to attract new businesses and thousands of jobs to the county.
This prime site is directly adjacent to the M65 junction at Bamber Bridge and is one of the biggest employment development opportunities in the North West.
The new marketing signs have been erected at several points around the site's perimeter to highlight the opportunities for businesses. There has already been strong interest from local, regional and national companies.
County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of the Lancashire County Council, viewed the new signs as part of a broader site visit this week and was joined by County Councillor Aidy Riggott, Cabinet member for economic development and growth, and James Scott, development director at Lancashire-based Maple Grove Developments.
Lancashire County Council and its development partner Maple Grove Developments secured planning permission in December last year for the site, which aims to provide a platform for significant economic growth in the area, driving forward business investment, expansion, and productivity increases.
Planning permission was granted to deliver up to 1.7 million sq. ft. of high-quality commercial space and with the potential to create approximately 2,400 job opportunities during the construction phases and up to 5,600 full time jobs once in operation.
Councillor Williamson said: "It is really good that having secured planning permission we can start to promote the opportunity that this site will create for business, employment and skills.
"It is also an example of the county council's commitment to creating growth, alongside our support to deliver development opportunities of regional and national significance, while also delivering a significant range of local benefits including jobs for Lancashire residents.
"Whilst activity hasn’t yet started on site, we can assure you that lots of work is taking place behind the scenes, preparing for development to start and the marketing of Lancashire Central to businesses, occupiers is a key part of this."
The Lancashire Central site has an excellent location close to the national motorway network, providing easy access to the whole of the UK. Once completed, it's estimated that the increased expenditure in the region will bring a boost to the local economy of up to £390 million per year and creating thousands of jobs, opening up new opportunities for local people which we’re really excited about.
Lancashire Central will provide high quality employment uses including industrial, manufacturing, logistics, research and development space. The scheme will also include amenity uses such as food and drink outlets, gym, hotel, crèche, a health centre and other developments.
Planning has also been granted for up to 116 new homes, which will help tackle the shortage of housing available in the area, as well as providing significant landscaping and the creation of ecological habitats as part of the site's strong green credentials.
James Scott, development director at Lancashire-based Maple Grove, said: “The residential site is currently being marketed for sale and although it’s early days, there has already been strong initial interest from many of the major housebuilders.”
The plans will also see major improvements to surrounding roads and pedestrian/cycle routes.
Wider benefits from the development include significant landscaping and the creation of ecological habitats on the site.
Significant investment will be made into local infrastructure including roads and pedestrian/cycle route improvements. Environmental infrastructure, which also supports the health and wellbeing agenda includes planting and green space, ponds and sustainable open drainage features.
The marketing agents for the scheme are CBRE, B8, and Savills.
More information about Lancashire Central can be found at www.lancashirecentral.co.uk
The planning application was approved by the county council's Development Control Committee at its meeting on Wednesday 6 December.
Find out more in the county council's news release from December - Approval given for major employment site in Central Lancashire