A pioneering £105 million Yorkshire business park, which has the capacity to create 2,550 sustainable jobs, is now open for business.
Leading Yorkshire property development company Glentrool Estates Group is transforming a 75-acre site at Junction 42 of the A1(M) Sherburn-in-Elmet, Leeds into a first-class business and employment park.
Called Sherburn2, the site is next to the existing successful Sherburn Park, whose occupiers include Debenhams, Sainsbury, Optare, Eddie Stobart and Kingspan.
A brand-new bridge, linking the site to the B1222 Sherburn-Cawood road, has just been installed.
Jeremy Nolan, a director at Glentrool, commented: “We are tremendously excited that the new bridge is now finished. Symbolically and practically, it opens up our development. It has been built over the historic Bishopdyke stream, transforming the site from an enclosed field to a high-quality employment park ready for business.
“The bridge itself boasts 50 piles, which are roughly 18 metres deep with 46,000 kg of steel reinforcement, and provides a statement entrance to Sherburn2. It measures 15 metres by 25 metres and has been constructed by our main contractors Peter Duffy of Wakefield, who have done a magnificent job. The opening of the bridge is a seismic shift and pivotal point in the development of Sherburn2,” said Mr Nolan.
The success of Sherburn as a destination for high-quality occupiers has underlined the strength of the location, both in terms of the labour force and transport links. Now Sherburn2 will add to that success.
Mr Nolan commented: “Our development, which is now attracting strong interest from potential occupiers, with heads of terms out to a number of companies, will lead to significant inward investment – both during the construction phase over the course of the next few years and for many years to come.
“The infrastructure, which cost a total of £4.5 million, is now in place so construction of the logistics and warehousing units, which range from 35,000 sq ft to 575,000 sq ft can begin the moment a deal is signed,” explained Mr Nolan.
“A funding package for the finance of the construction has been secured which will facilitate the rapid delivery of bespoke buildings on a design and build basis.
He added: “I would like to thank both Selby District Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership for their tremendous support for Sherburn2. Their backing has enabled this project to get off the ground and we are determined to make them proud of what we achieve here.”
Nigel Adams, MP for Selby, said: “This development stands to reaffirm the Selby District is very much open for business and I’m pleased the project has already received significant interest from potential occupiers. I am also delighted the project has been made possible by the government’s Growing Places Fund and that it has had the full backing of the District Council throughout. I will look forward to seeing the site up and running in the coming months.”
The Leader of Selby District Council, Coun Mark Crane, commented: “Sherburn2 is a fantastic opportunity for our district, and businesses locating there will be able to benefit from the things that make our area a great place to do business. Situated right in the heart of Yorkshire with easy links to the national road and rail network, with a skilled local workforce, we know this new business space will appeal to range of different business types.
“It is developments such as this which help to bring new growth and job opportunities for people in our district – that’s why Selby District Council has been working alongside Glentrool to help make this happen,” said Coun Crane.
David Dickson, chair of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership’s Infrastructure Board, which directs investments in key sites and infrastructure to grow the local economy, said: “With the potential to create 2,550 new jobs, we are delighted to see work starting to take place on site.
“The project was kick-started with a loan of £2.95m from the government’s Growing Places Fund, and with its location on our A1(M) and A19 growth corridor, it is very important to our area strategically. The site offers businesses quick access to essential routes to the north which we are hoping will be very attractive for our growing manufacturing, warehousing and logistics sector in particular.”
Mike Dove, a partner with leading Yorkshire property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips, commented: “This is one of the most significant new development sites in the Yorkshire region, both in terms of the jobs it will create and the inward investment it will attract.
“It is superbly located with Yorkshire’s excellent motorway network only minutes away, and midway between the cities of Leeds and York, with Selby and Tadcaster close by. There are also excellent rail links.
“During the past four years, Glentrool have demonstrated remarkable vision and commercial confidence to plan one of the largest new employment and business parks to emerge in Yorkshire. They have created a comprehensive master plan for a thriving and high-quality business park to be developed,” he said.
Mr Dove added: “This is a great opportunity for occupiers to benefit from a labour pool with impeccable logistics connections. As a strategically important site for the region, Sherburn2 looks forward to welcoming a new generation of businesses to the bespoke, high-quality 21st century buildings.”