Property round-up: PJD Group; Lancashire Cricket; Elan Homes; Muller Propery Group; CF Fertilisers; One Vision Housing

PJD Group has confirmed that One Express on George Leigh Street in Ancoats is now fully occupied following three lettings that have taken place since the start of 2023.

The Grade II-listed building was purchased in 2017 and an office refurbishment of the entire building (29,000 sq ft) completed in September 2021.

Within six months of practical completion 85% of the building was let, with the most substantial letting being the whole second floor (11,000 sq ft) to Beever and Struthers in summer 2022.

The three recent lettings comprise suites totalling 1,887sq ft. On the ground floor, 498 sq ft has been let to Consolux M&E Consulting, while on the first floor, the final two suites have been let to energy supplier Highland Fuels, which has taken 657 sq ft, and multinational sports and entertainment media group Eleven Sports Media, which will occupy 732 sq ft.

Mark Davies, owner of Altrincham-based property company PJD Group, said: “We’re delighted to have fully let One Express in just over 12 months. The quality of the offering, combined with the location, has attracted a fantastic range of tenants in both the tech and professional sector and it’s wonderful to see the thriving community which has developed over the last year.

“The space has been designed to suit the way people want to work today, incorporating an on-site gym ONE XPS Fitness and coffee shop Off The Press, as well as quality break out space. There are also meeting rooms of various sizes available at ground floor level and individual meeting rooms in each suite throughout the building.”

The landlord was represented by OBI.

::

Plans for new cricket facility

A planning application for a new high quality sports facility in the heart of Lancashire has been approved in principle by councillors – subject to any call-in from the Secretary of State.

Led by Lancashire County Council, the proposed development for Lancashire Cricket would bring together elite and community cricket on a site at Farington.

The plans, which were recommended for approval by council officers, were approved by the county council’s Development Control Committee at its meeting last week.

This application will now need to be referred to the Secretary of State for consideration before any planning permission could be granted – this is normal practice when proposals would affect the green belt.

The aim is to establish a new year-round facility, which would host a number of men’s and women’s competitive matches each year, as an alternative to Emirates Old Trafford, and provide a new training base for Lancashire’s men’s and women’s teams, from age-group to first team. The club has confirmed that the current out grounds will still be utilised once the new facility has opened.

These proposals have been sensitively and carefully designed so the green setting endures for the long term, and the amenity of neighbouring residents is protected.

New tree planting, landscaping and green spaces will provide an attractive backdrop and provide screening for local properties.

Phillippa Williamson, leader of the county council, said: “As well as providing new jobs and a significant boost to our economy creating these fantastic facilities will support recreational cricket as we encourage more people to take part in and enjoy the sport as well as wider community use.”

Andy Anson, chair at Lancashire Cricket, said: “We’ve been working with the county council on this exciting project for some time now and the new development will provide fantastic elite facilities for both our men’s and women’s squads, as well as for recreational cricket and wider community use.”

Owned by the county council, the proposed site in Farington is alongside the A582 Farington Road on the west side of Stanifield Lane, and a short distance from the M65 and M6.

::

Elan homes similar to those planned for Lower Darwen

Elan Homes is continuing to expand across Lancashire with its fourth development in the county due to launch soon.

The homebuilder has planning consent to build 76 new homes in Lower Darwen.

Known as Tower Gardens, the latest scheme is taking shape across an 8.64 acre site off Milking Lane and Millbank Road. The land was acquired from Barnfield Blackburn, a joint venture between the Blackburn with Darwen Council and Brierfield-based Barnfield Construction.

All of the homes at the development will be for private sale, offering a choice of three- and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached designs.

Elan will make a financial contribution towards off site affordable housing provision in the wider community.

Marie Morris, sales director for Elan Homes in the North, said: “Elan is a relatively new name in Lancashire, but we have a solid reputation for building quality homes in sought-after locations. We’re looking forward to launching Tower Gardens, offering a good choice of energy efficient new build homes in Lower Darwen.”

The development will include more than five acres of public open space. It will also lead to enhanced flood alleviation measures for the wider area including a surface water lagoon on site and four weirs along Davyfield Brook to slow the flow of water.

The Lower Darwen site is Elan’s fourth development in Lancashire – the company is already building and selling homes at Redwood Gardens, Marton Moss, near Lytham, Wrea Green Meadows, Wrea Green, and Whittingham Fold in Goosnargh, near Preston.

::

CGI of proposed development

Muller Property Group has secured outline planning consent for the creation of a new residential care home in Clitheroe, in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Ribble Valley Borough Council unanimously approved Muller’s proposal for the 1.1 acre site, which is located to the north of Pendle Road, and within walking distance from the town centre. Existing commercial properties on the former Pendle Mill site will now be cleared to make way for a luxury residential care home.

The three-storey care home will provide 70 spacious ensuite bedrooms. Enhancing the wellbeing of residents, the property will include the provision of a café/bistro, cinema, hair and nail salon, plus private dining rooms. Communal day spaces are also included within the design, facilitating sociable activities that encourage mental and physical stimulation.

The development features a large, secure garden for residents, with new landscaping to enhance and improve local biodiversity, together with the existing mature trees.

Chief executive, Colin Muller, said: “This care home will provide premium accommodation for residents with an array of on-site facilities, forming a new community within Clitheroe. Active residents can enjoy the benefits of living just 800 metres from the town centre and we look forward to bringing this development forward.”

The completed care home facility is expected to create around 70 full-time jobs across a variety of disciplines and roles, including nurses and carers, managerial, maintenance and other ancillary roles.

::

Halladale House

Acting on behalf of an institutional landlord, joint property agents Legat Owen and Avison Young have secured a 9,500 sq ft letting at Chester Business Park to fertilizer manufacturer, CF Fertilisers UK.

The property will accommodate the UK sales team which will relocate from Ince, on the edge of Chester, to take the entire first floor at Halladale House on a 10-year lease.

Will Sadler, director at Legat Owen, said: “CF Fertilisers is a great addition to the tenant line-up at Chester Business Park and joins Close Brothers as the two anchor tenants of the property. The letting was concluded within eight weeks of first viewing and is further evidence that occupiers are looking for high quality and well located office accommodation. The property has been substantially reconfigured and refurbished and one suite of 4,500 sq ft remains available.“

Richard Wharton, director at JLL, which represented the tenant, said: “Following an exhaustive search, Halladale was identified as the preferred option for the client. The size, configuration and location of the property is ideal and we look forward to now undertaking the cat B fit-out and assisting the client with their relocation.”

::

Conway Point

One Vision Housing celebrated the completion of its Conway Point development this week, a new apartment block that is supporting residents of Wirral onto the property ladder.

Through the housing association’s Rent to Buy scheme, customers will benefit from affordable rent at around 20% less than the market price, helping them to save towards a deposit and buy the apartment they live in.

One Vision Housing is part of construction, property and facilities services company, The Sovini Group. The development was delivered as part of the group’s development framework which aims to combat high housing costs, through the creation of more than 1,000 high quality, affordable homes within the next five years.

Built on brownfield land by Sovini Construction, Conway Point was designed with modern living in mind by Condy Lofthouse Architects and was constructed using a ‘fabric first’ approach that focuses on the reduction of energy consumption, through thermal efficiency and running costs.

Apartments all feature environmentally efficient specifications, supplied by local independent building merchant, Sovini Trade Supplies, including toilets, taps, showers, and light fittings, contributing towards the group’s net-zero carbon commitment.

Ian Mitchell, managing director of housing at The Sovini Group, said: “Our Conway Point development is delivering on our vision of a better future, as we create opportunities and change lives by helping local people to get onto the property ladder. We look forward to welcoming customers into their new homes and seeing them thrive within our communities for years to come.”

James Flannery, director of construction and land, said: “The Conway Point development has been designed and built to the highest standard. The apartments strive to be energy efficient as we continue to embrace renewable technologies with an environmentally friendly approach to construction.”