Member Article

Bradford business park gets the go-ahead from planners

Newhall Business Park, which is being constructed and developed by leading Bradford developer Frank Marshall Estates, received planning permission this week.

The park, which is the first speculative industrial development to be built in Bradford since the recession, is set to create 100 sustainable new jobs.

Frank Marshall Estates bought the five-acre business park, part of Prologis Park, from Prologis for an undisclosed sum earlier this year. Outline planning for eight business units, totalling 40,000 sq ft, has been granted by Bradford City Council.

The development will be built by Bradford-based construction company Percy Pickard Contractors.

Frank Marshall Estates is run by Edward and Jimmy Marshall and is a well-established real estate company with significant commercial assets in Yorkshire.

Edward Marshall commented: “We are tremendously excited by the potential of Newhall Business Park. It occupies an exceptional position at the top of the M606 to the south of Bradford city centre and is just minutes away from the hub of Yorkshire’s superb motorway network. The location is superb, arguably the best for industrial property in Bradford.

He explained: “Now our planning application has been successful, we will be starting work on site within the next couple of weeks. We are planning to build eight self-contained, high-quality units, ideal for businesses requiring small units. The units, which will range from 1,500 sq ft to 10,650 sq ft, will be equipped with the very best facilities and the latest technology. We are looking to set a new standard for industrial space in the area.”

Frank Marshall Estates themselves will be moving their headquarters to the site from the nearby Link 606 Office Park, occupying the Grade II listed building which fronts Rooley Lane and was formerly the club house of West Bowling Golf Club. The building is currently being extensively refurbished and will be split into two wings, The East Wing and the West Wing, allowing another occupier more than 2,400 sq ft of quality office space.

Jimmy Marshall explained: “We are very proud of our Bradford heritage and believe strongly that this will be a business park for Bradford. We are showing our confidence in the area by building the first speculative multi-let estate in recent years. During the project we are ensuring that the contractors and sub-contractors on site will be from the Bradford region.

“As the economy picks up after some difficult years, a number of smaller to medium-sized businesses are feeling more confident and are looking to consolidate and expand. We believe our new business units, which will be ready for occupation in 2016, will satisfy this pent-up demand. Ultimately we hope to create 100 sustainable and quality jobs here.”

The rents for the industrial units will be in the region of £7 per sq ft, while the quoting office rent is £15 per sq ft.

Mike Haigh, partner with marketing agents Dove Haigh Phillips, commented: “This is a prime development site in a premier location. Marks and Spencer’s hugely successful regional distribution centre is next door, underlining the excellent transport links and the success of the site.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .