Supercar manufacturer McLaren signs up to 75,000 sq ft at AMP

McLaren has agreed a deal for a 75,000 sq ft bespoke unit at the Advanced Manufacturing Park.

The supercar manufacturer announced in February it intended to create 200 jobs with a £50m investment, as part of its research partnership with the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

Now, Harworth Group, the brownfield regeneration and investment specialist, has announced that it has signed a 20-year lease with McLaren on the AMP unit, which will be designed and built by the developer.

The Composites Technology Centre will develop and build carbon fibre ‘tubs’ around which its vehicles are built.

This morning Harworth also announced that it had signed a 15-year lease with an unnamed manufacturer for an 11,000 sq ft site at the AMP. The unit was speculatively constructed and the lease was completed within eight weeks of practical completion.

Additionally, it has sold 8.17 acres to Taylor Wimpey to enable the housebuilder to construct 130 homes on its Waverley development.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive officer, said: “This announcement continues to demonstrate the fundamental strength of our regional residential and commercial markets. We are delighted to welcome McLaren to the AMP and to be able to support them in their ongoing growth.

“The two announced lease agreements serve as further examples of how we are improving the quality of our income base as we continue to deliver NAV growth across the portfolio.

“We are maintaining development momentum at the AMP and demand for new units remains high, with the McLaren deal demonstrating how the Harworth offering has evolved to incorporate the design and build of specialist purpose built units on behalf of blue-chip occupiers.

“The sale of residential plots to Taylor Wimpey marks our ninth sale of engineered housing land on Waverley. This will add to the 650 homes that have already built and occupied on the site since 2012, reflecting good demand for our engineered brownfield land from housebuilders.”

Planning consultants Barton Willmore secured planning approval from Rotherham Borough Council for the plans.

Claire Kent, planning director at Barton Willmore, said: “This development will further strengthen the Advanced Manufacturing Park’s already world class reputation, and bring more jobs and investment to the area.

“What could be better than securing a top international manufacturing name for this Enterprise Zone.

“With the plans now approved, South Yorkshire marks an important milestone in its economic regeneration.”