Developer wants more focus on smaller, flexible commercial spaces
Kirklees needs more flexible and smaller commercial space if it is to achieve its strategy of promoting start up and SME businesses in line with its economic strategy, according to developer the Nano Park Company.
This business has submitted a planning application for a new development on the Wappy Springs pub site next to the M62 near Huddersfield.
The company also has other similar commercial parks in Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, with full take up of space, with the latter two not even completed yet.
The Nano Park Company believes that, as is the case with other areas of West Yorkshire, a lot of commercial development has focused on larger “big box” type industrial development for logistics and distribution which has boomed in the pandemic and recent lockdowns.
Edward Marshall, director of the business, explained: “Kirklees’s strategy is to promote dynamic small and micro businesses to help drive productivity and job creation and to promote Kirklees as a place to do business.
“These smaller businesses account for over 20% of employment in the district, a figure set to increase post Covid.
“However, this strategy needs these businesses to have a home and space to grow.
“The problem that has become more intense over the last few years, and intensified further due to the Covid pandemic, is that big box development has taken up all the employment land.
“This planning application is a test to see whether the council want small local businesses to succeed. Nowhere else is capable of providing what this development offers.
“We know this is a hard choice politically, but our extensive assessment work clearly shows there are no other options available to address the fundamental needs that this development would fulfil.
“We have been looking for a site in Kirklees for over three years and this is the only one we have found to be suitable.
“Other nearby councils are very enthusiastic about bringing our concept to their areas and we hope Kirklees will be too.”
