Work to start on £15m business park

A JOINT venture between Russells Construction and developer Pendle Projects is preparing to start work on a £15m business park on the edge of Bradford.

The 140,000 sq ft Baildon Business Park is expected to attract hi-tech businesses employing around 700 staff.

A detailed planning application for the first building, a 25,000 sq ft unit, has been submitted by Manchester’s AEW architects. Work will start early next year, subject to approval.

Agents say they are in discussion with six potential occupiers, with three having progressed to legal negotiations. All are in the research and development, pharmaceutical or engineering sectors.

Andrew Russell, director of Russells Construction, said: “The launch of this development will provide high-tech businesses with the opportunity to build and own a modern facility, designed to their own specification. We’ve worked with a number of laboratory and advanced engineering firms over recent years and found there is an appetite for the development of bespoke premises in this sector.

“The formation of Pendle Russells Ltd brings together different skill sets which, working closely with the first occupier and Bradford Council, has unlocked the potential of this site and allowed this project to progress and help bring hundreds of jobs to this area.”

The business park is being marketed by agents Atkinson Associates, Knight Frank and Dale Eddison.