Job hopes amid plans for £12m expansion of Wigan business park

An aerial view of what the redeveloped park would look like

Plans were being submited to Wigan Council on Friday for the expansion of the Glasshouse Business Park at Land Gate.

The prominently located, which is on a key corridor to Wigan town centre from the M6, would bring 119,000ft sq of new industrial space to the market and transform the largely undeveloped 9.7 acre site, which currently includes 40,000ft sq of office space over six buildings.

The proposal from Derwent Group includes a new 105,000ft sq industrial unit to the east of the site and 16,500ft sq of smaller industrial space, split into seven units, to the west.

The plans will see The Derwent Group continue its development programme of high quality industrial space, following the success of Mill Lane Trade Park in Liverpool, which completed in 2017.

Andrew Day, senior asset manager for The Derwent Group said: “Given the increased demand for good quality industrial space on the M6/A49 corridor and the site’s large acreage, as well as our appetite for a greater presence in the industrial market, Glasshouse’s future will be best served by these plans.

“This planning application forms an important part of the ongoing development of our existing land stock and will add a key asset to our expanding industrial portfolio.”

The project team includes AEW Architects and Avison Young’s planning team, as well as Artal, Systra, WML, Zerum and Safety Sphere. Avison Young and Parkinsons will be joint letting agents for the scheme.

Ruth Leighton, director at Avison Young, said: “In the second half of 2020, big box take up was well above the five year average across the North West, demonstrating the high demand for industrial space across the region. With the limited availability of quality stock, driven by the boom in online shopping and shifting consumer habits due to the pandemic, the redevelopment of Glasshouse Business Park will be a much sought after development in a strategic location.”

A planning decision is expected in mid-2021. Subject to planning approval, work would start on site in August 2021.

Glasshouse Business Park is currently home to regional health centre provider Total Fitness, national technical, engineering and construction consultant NRL Ltd and The British Heart Foundation.

The Derwent Group is part of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation and operates across the retail, leisure, industrial and commercial sectors. The Derwent Group has a commercial property portfolio of 3 million sq. ft, including 2.1 million square feet of retail and leisure space. Through The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, The Derwent Group generates grants to charitable causes in excess of £10 million per annum.

To find out more about The Derwent Group and the AGCF visit: www.thederwentgroup.com

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