Jobs on the way as business park redevelopment kicks off
Work is set to start on the redevelopment of a Peak District business park creating dozens of jobs in new offices and factory space – and a 72-bed hotel.
National planning and development consultancy Lichfields secured planning permission for the development at Riverside Business Park, Bakewell, on behalf of Litton Properties.
The £12m scheme will lead to the demolition of existing industrial units to be replaced with 40,000 sq ft of employment floorspace.
It will also see the demolition of former mill buildings, and the construction of a 72-bed Premier Inn with restaurants and associated leisure, creating over 30 jobs.
Lichfields planning director Stephen Morgan-Hyland said: “Lichfields is delighted to have assisted Litton Property Group, the owner of the historic Riverside Business Park in Bakewell, to secure planning permissions following two appeals.
“This will now allow the immediate start of a comprehensive redevelopment programme, creating and safeguarding jobs on the site.”
The 40,000 sq ft of new industrial floorspace was granted planning permission in July 2016 but a pre-commencement condition, requiring construction of a new bridged access from the A6 was removed, following a successful appeal last month.
Planning for the hotel was granted on appeal following refusal by the National Park Authority in December 2016.
Mark Twelves, managing director of Bakewell-based Litton Property Group, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the latest appeal. Now we can enter into meaningful discussions with existing tenants about their future requirements within our redevelopment plans as well as providing new space to attract new businesses. There are a number of businesses waiting to expand or locate here.”
Twelves added: “We hope the PDNPA will now work with us to see the modernisation of the park become reality. Riverside Business Park is a huge asset not just to Bakewell, but to the whole of the Peak District.”
The development will also include improvements to existing site access, parking, landscaping and other associated works.
Morgan-Hyland added: “Lichfields has advised Litton Properties on its Riverside Business Park asset for a number of years. The commercial importance of the site to Bakewell and the wider Peak District cannot be under estimated and we are delighted to have assisted in shaping its 21st century future as a mixed employment, leisure and retail destination.”
