Glenbrook submits proposals for £70m industrial park

Developer Glenbrook has submitted plans for a £70m employment park which has the potential to create up to 1,200 jobs.

The 40 acre scheme in Wigan, Greater Manchester is known as Meridian 6, and adjoins the existing South Lancashire Industrial Estate in Ashton in Makerfield, and will provide an initial investment of £70m into the borough.

The proposals include 625,000 sq ft of new industrial space to meet the significant regional demand from small to medium-sized businesses, whilst having the flexibility to react to market need should larger requirements prevail.

Dan Symonds, development manager at Glenbrook, said: “Demand for industrial space is at an all-time high outstripping supply.

“Meridian 6 will provide much needed new accommodation whilst helping to secure new jobs and attract further investment to this area of Greater Manchester.

“We would like to thank everyone who engaged during the public consultation.  The feedback received was useful, particularly around biodiversity, which has been reflected in the design layout with increased structured landscaping and greenspace.

“Once planning is determined we will be on site early in the New Year delivering the infrastructure works without delay.”

Dominic Page, associate, planning at Gerald Eve, added: “Meridian 6 represents the last remaining strategic allocated employment site without planning permission in Wigan.

“The current proposals would unlock this long-standing allocation, delivering a first phase of industrial accommodation that could be expanded across the wider site in future.

“Meridian 6 will also help to reduce the pressure for development on unallocated and Green Belt sites in Wigan as developers struggle to find enough land to satisfy continued strong market demand.”

The design team includes AEW Architects, Gerald Eve as planning consultant and civil and structural engineers, SGI.