Property round-up: Trafford Council adopts core strategy; and more

TRAFFORD Council has adopted a core strategy which earmarks land uses in the borough over the next 14 years.

The strategy was given the official ‘thumbs up’ by the Planning Inspector last year and was adopted at a meeting of the council last week.

This means that it will now be used alongside the Revised Trafford Unitary Development Plan in determining planning applications.

The preparation of the Core Strategy has been the subject of extensive community engagement which began in 2007.

It includes plans for the Carrington regeneration area including more than 1,000 homes and a new employment zone, the further development of town centres, a major employment site at Pomona Island near Salford Quays and major office development at Trafford Wharfside facing Peel’s Mediacity:UK site. More than 1,000 homes are also planned for Old Trafford.

Councillor Mike Cornes, executive member for economic growth and prosperity, said: “In these uncertain economic times, this gives the business community, developers and agents much needed assurance and certainty that Trafford will be promoting economic investment and regeneration.

“It sends out the message to investors that we are open for business and that they can invest here with confidence. I am confident that the council has struck the right balance between promoting economic growth, creating safer and stronger communities, and protecting our environments.”

::

TOWN planning expert Andy Frost has set up his own Cheshire-based consultancy business, Frost Planning.

Mr Frost said that his new business will specialise in securing planning consents for developers, landowners and private companies across the UK.
He added that he intends to set his business apart by offering experienced, commercially expert advice at flexible fee rates. Until recently, he was a national director at Jones Lang LaSalle, but became one of a number of post-merger casualties as the firm began a rationalisation following its deal with King Sturge.

He said: “Market conditions are really tough. We offer what clients want but don’t always get from larger consultancies – flexible fee arrangements, director-level service, incisive thinking and decisive advice.”

Mr Frost, who has served almost 21 years in town planning working for both the private and public sector, added: “Over the past few years I’ve craved to set up my own business. Despite the tough market conditions it feels like the perfect time for me to do this.”

His firm’s clients include AstraZeneca plc, Istithmar P&O Estates, Crown UK plc, Anchor, and LaSalle Investment Management.

::

THE Manchester office of property consultants Dunlop Heywood is moving to new offices to accommodate team expansion this year.

The firm said that it had run out of space at its former premises and has moved to new space at 26 King St with immediate effect. The office, which is headed by founder Stuart Hicks, offers a range of services including ratings, project & building consultancy, rates liability, tenant & landlord and lease advisory.

Hicks said: “2011 has been a huge year for Dunlop Heywood. Despite the challenging climate, our team and turnover has effectively doubled in Manchester. We have also opened new offices in Dublin and relocated to larger premises in Leeds. The new King Street offices will give us much-needed space to grow the teams throughout 2012.”

::

THE industrial team at Colliers advised on 52 separate deals in its Manchester office last year, covering 2m sq ft of space.

Key deals included the letting of a 625,000 sq ft specialist chilled warehouse facility on 42 acres at Kingsway Business Park, Rochdale, from Wilson Bowden on behalf of Asda.

The firm also let 360,000 sq ft of distribution space on G Park Liverpool at Knowsley to parcel delivery giant DHL on a new 10-year lease on behalf of Gazeley, and advised Waitrose on its 400,000 sq ft distribution centre at Chorley, Lancashire.

Director Julien Kenny-Levick said: “2011 was a very successful year for the team and we are pleased to have provided key advice to the likes of Asda.

“However, the market remains a very testing and competitive environment and maintaining this momentum is a key challenge for the team as we enter 2012.”

::

NOLAN Redshaw has been appointed as marketing agent for Cricket Street Business Park in Wigan.

The park is less than a mile form Wigan town centre and is close to both the M62 motorway. There are seven units on site, ranging in size from 2,530 sq ft to 5,652 sq ft.

Mike Redshaw, director of Nolan Redshaw, said: “The business park has excellent security, with protected barrier entry, manned security lodge and electric fence around the whole of the site. The park’s proximity to the region’s motorway network makes it an ideal location for those looking to move to a highly-accessible, yet protected site.”

Eckersley Chartered Surveyors are joint agents with Nolan Redshaw on the scheme.

::

LAYTONS Solicitors has advised the owners of a new 100-cover authentic Neapolitan pizza and pasta venue in Castlefield on their lease for the unit.

Per Tutti has been opened at a 2,800 sq ft unit at Liverpool Road opposite the Deansgate Hilton Hotel. Owners Chris and Daniel Khan took a 15-year lease on the site from a pension fund following advice from Laytons’ associate Claire Beaumont.

Ms Beaumont said: ”It was a pleasure to work with restaurateurs who have such a passion for making dining out such a delightful experience and we wish Per Tutti every success.

Chris Khan, who has held management positions with several restaurants in Cheshire, said: “I’ve had the opportunity to learn a great deal over the last few years and it’s been extremely satisfying putting that experience together with our own ideas for Per Tutti. 

“We’ve got a superb location, near both the Manchester Convention Centre and the Opera House and our Head Chef, Agostino Vitiello, is from Naples and a member of international group, the Association of Neapolitan Pizza.

“We do have plans to develop other restaurants in the future and thank Claire and her team at Laytons for their assistance.”

::

Hurstwood has completed two new lettings at properties in the North West.
CATERING Equipment Solutions has taken a 750 sq ft unit at at Agecroft Enterprise Park in Salford, while Instep UK has taken 2,000 sq ft at its Edward Foden Business Centre in Sandbach, Cheshire.

Catering Equipment Solutions installs and maintains catering and foodservice equipment and has been trading for more than 20 years.

Director Nick Jackson said: “We think that this will be the ideal premises for us as we look to expand our business.”

Agecroft Enterprise Park is located just four miles from Manchester city centre and is also within a short drive of junctions 14 and 16 of the M60. The site contains 23 units in total.

Meanwhile, Instep UK has taken the recently refurbished suites 9 and 10 at the Edward Foden Business Centre.

The company providing training courses and materials to help businesses get the most from their employees.

Company director Peter Hitchen said: “Instep were looking for offices in the Sandbach and surrounding area that could provide an open-plan office layout in a modern and spacious surrounding – the Edwin Foden Business Centre offers just this.”