Investment into commercial schemes in regional areas continues to climb as the economy improves further, with many areas in which development stalled now noting an uptick in demand for space. Commercial investor and developer Praxis is currently hoping that this will smooth the process of obtaining planning permission for a mixed use employment site in East Lancashire which would create around 2,000 jobs in the local area.
Altogether, the site on Blackburn Road in Knuzden measures 90 acres and is currently derelict. However, under the development plan core strategy set down by Hyndburn Council in 2012, it is also categorised as a strategic regional employment site due to its proximity to junction 6 of the M65 motorway, something which the developers hope will smooth the planning application process and allow work to begin as soon as possible.
Under current plans which will be scrutinised by the public during a consultation phase to open next week, the long term aim of Praxis is to create more than 1 million sq ft of employment and development space on the Whitebirk site. The first phase would see around 350,000 sq ft of hotel, office and advanced manufacturing space created, although in the long term this should build up to the end target square footage of warehouse space split among four different plots.
Gabriel McLaughlin, head of asset management and director at Praxis, says; “Against the backdrop of a tough economic environment, we are developing plans for a mixed employment development site that will act as a major boost to the local economy with the creation of up to 2,000 jobs of significant benefit to the local community.
“We are keen to ensure that the local community has the opportunity to comment on the scheme to help develop something we’re all proud of and that fulfil our objectives of attracting inward investment and creating a range of jobs for the area.”
Although the development would include around 50,000 sq ft of office, hotel, food and leisure space, the majority of the ambitious project would be dedicated to manufacturing and industrial space – a key area for growth given the government’s determination to encourage manufacturing brands to “reshore” in the UK. As reshoring is expected to generate around £15 billion for the UK economy over the next decade, local authorities planning ahead in terms of industrial space requirements may see a significant boost to their economies as a result.
Members of the public are invited to attend the consultation, which will take place on the 24th of February at the Red Lion Public House on Whitebirk Road between 12pm and 8pm. Feedback generated by this event will be processed by Praxis over the coming weeks before a formal planning application is submitted to the council in spring.
