Planned commercial scheme could create up to 500 jobs

Proposals for 285,000 sq ft of industrial, warehousing and roadside opportunities at Sheffield Business Park, which could create up to 500 jobs, have been submitted.

Launched as “Catalyst”, the development will offer design and build opportunities for sale or to let from 22,354 to 108,237 sq ft.

The plans mark the final phase of development at Sheffield Business Park by the joint venture between UK property development companies Premcor and Peveril Securities which bought the 18-acre Catalyst site for an undisclosed sum in a deal brokered by Knight Frank and BNP Paribas Real Estate, in March this year.

Catalyst will offer five units suitable for warehouse and distribution, general industrial and manufacturing and also users looking for roadside profile.

The site forms part of Sheffield City Region’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and fronts onto Sheffield Parkway.

Simon Hawkins, director at Premcor, said: “Catalyst is an exciting development set to be fuelled by the region’s impressive manufacturing pedigree and status. Our development will truly reflect the catalyst for growth here.

“The Sheffield City Region, which includes Rotherham and this site, is one of the UK’s major manufacturing locations.

“Contributing nearly £20bn to the national economy, the area is set to see strong growth and has a high availability of labour meaning competitively-priced wages compared to regional and national averages.

“The site enables occupiers to be at the cutting edge of UK manufacturing and within the north’s new logistics hotspot.”

Ralph Jones, managing director at Peveril Securities, added: “The site masterplan offers five units, with design and builds suitable for industrial, manufacturing and logistics uses, finished to a high specification.

“Sustainability is high on the agenda of our plans with our specification including target EPC rating ‘A’, minimum BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’, PIR controlled LED lighting to the offices and a rooftop solar PV system ready, reflecting the environmental demands from occupiers.”

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire industrial team at Knight Frank, which are retained agents with BNP Paribas Real Estate on Catalyst, said: “Catalyst is the latest development at Sheffield Business Park.

“Fronting onto Rotherham Gateway, it is in prime position to meet the needs of a wide range of occupiers.

“The 18 acre site is currently masterplanned for industrial and warehouse use, with a range of unit sizes that may be further tailored with bespoke design and builds.”

Industrial occupiers in the area already include Amber Precast, Boeing, Liberty Steel, McLaren Automotive, MTL Advanced, Outokumpu steel, Rolls-Royce, University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), UK Atomic Energy Authority (UK AEA) and University of Sheffield Factory 2050.

Logistics occupiers include Clipper, Great Bear, Marks and Spencer, Parcelforce and Royal Mail.

Guy Cooke, director and head of agency at BNP Paribas Real Estate Sheffield, said: “Catalyst is strategically situated to directly address large, regional and national markets and ideally located for a Regional Distribution Centre.

“Fast links to the M1, M18 and A1(M) bring the large consumer markets of the Greater Leeds area and the East
Midlands within 90 minutes by HGV.

“The major manufacturing heartlands of the North, North West and West Midlands lie within 180 minutes, making Catalyst ideal for national distribution and just-in-time supply chains.”