Development deal signed for Broughton Moor site

A DEAL to redevelop the biggest brownfield site in the North West has finally been signed between landowners Cumbria County Council and Allerdale Borough Council, and developer Derwent Forest Development Corporation (DFDC).

The councils announced back in January that they had whittled an initial shortlist of 12 firms down to two for the 1,050 acre site, which was previously the former Broughton Moor munitions depot. They chose Derwent Forest Development Consortium in March, but have only recently completed a lease agreement, and are due to host a publicity event on site today.

DFDC and its partner, Carlisle-based Story Construction, will now take over management of the site and will look to bring forward regeneration plans.  

Nigel Catterson, chairman of DFDC, said: “This has been a long, taxing and often frustrating journey to date for all involved in the process and seeing it through to this point is to the credit of all involved.

“The faith, trust and belief that the decision-makers and the community have shown in our proposal for Derwent Forest is to be applauded.

“For our part, we are keen to get underway as soon as possible.”

No plans have been submitted for the site, and a council spokesman said site assessment plans could take another 18 months, but Catterson has said DFDC “will create something unique and of benefit for the community, visitors and generations to come”.

Public access to the site has been restricted for many years, but it is hoped that large chunks will be reopened as development commences.

Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council bought the site from the Ministry of Defence in August 2008 for £1. They were then granted funds from the North West Regional Development Agency to carry out remediation works and bring it to market.

DTZ has acted as consultants for the project and Addleshaw Goddard provided legal advice.