Green light for major strategic employment site
Plans for a major new strategic employment site at the start of the M65 motorway near Preston creating thousands of new jobs, have been given the go ahead by South Ribble Borough Council’s planning committee.
The development will provide around 2.1 million sq ft of floor space, and in turn will deliver a new IKEA for central Lancashire, five further large format retail units and significant new employment space, alongside new cycle and footways, new homes, a small foodstore, a hotel, car showrooms, family pub and restaurants.
The application for the Cuerden Strategic Site in Central Lancashire was made by Lancashire County Council and Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, in association with Brookhouse Group.
The site will bring around £241m a year to the central Lancashire economy, local leaders say.
County Cllr Geoff Driver, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “We are pleased that these plans, that will deliver significant economic benefits, including creating over 4,500 new jobs locally have been approved by South Ribble’s Planning Committee.
“The Cuerden Strategic Site has been earmarked as a major new employment site for many years, but the lack of infrastructure to service the site has held back development. These proposals will provide the necessary investment to make this a reality.”
Cllo Peter Mullineaux, Leader at South Ribble Borough Council added: “This is a monumental decision for South Ribble – unlocking our biggest employment development site and creating once-in-a-generation economic opportunities for the whole borough.”
The ‘hybrid’ planning application ensures that the development can come forward in phases, responding to occupier demand.
Phase 1 has been consented in detail and will see the delivery of the IKEA and further retail along with access and related infrastructure. This will open up the site for further phases to deliver the employment, mixed-use and residential uses.
The developers can now start actively marketing the site to potential retail, leisure and commercial occupiers.
Jeremy Hartley from Eric Wright Group said: “The planning decision taken by members to approve the plans for the Cuerden Strategic Site is excellent news for the economy of central Lancashire. It will now allow the commencement of the significant infrastructure required to unlock the site which in turn will lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs for local communities.
Brookhouse group surveyor, Ben Scandrett said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome and very much look forward to entering into delivery stage. Given the site’s credentials including its accessibility to M65, M6 and M61 it comes as no surprise that we are already receiving enquiries from occupiers seeking representation.”
Richard Rands IKEA UK and Ireland property manager said: “We are delighted that the planning application for the Cuerden Strategic Development has been approved. We are really excited to bring our home furnishing offer to Preston and Lancashire along with the new jobs that the proposed IKEA store will create. We look forward to continuing to work with the Lancashire County Council.”
Retail, leisure and mixed-use lettings are being managed by Stephen Proudley of Lambert Smith Hampton. Commercial letting are being managed for Brookhouse Group by Andrew Lynn at Jones Lang Lasalle and by Jonathan Thorne of B8.
Lancashire County Council and Eric Wright Group has been advised by planning consultants Barton Willmore, Transport consultants Mott Macdonald, Architects DLA, Consulting Engineer Watermans Group, Ridge Property Group and Resolve Public Affairs.
