1.5 million square feet of commercial space in pipeline

6 August 2019

Significant progress has been made on Enterprise Zones sites across the Leeds City Region, which will deliver over 1.5 million square feet of new commercial space in the form of 21 new business units.

To date, eight new units, totalling 246,700 square feet, have been delivered, enabling new occupiers to create jobs for local residents.

Roger Marsh, Chair of the LEP and NP11 said:

“We are committed to providing the support needed to bring forward the strategic sites that enable economic growth and job creation. I am delighted at the progress made on Leeds City Region Enterprise Zones and look forward to new units being built and businesses moving in.”

Designated areas that provide tax breaks and Government support, Enterprise Zones are aimed at both new and expanding firms. They are a driving force for our economy by unlocking key development sites, consolidating infrastructure, attracting business and creating jobs.

All business rates growth generated from this initiative are kept by the LEP and local authorities to reinvest in local economic growth. This reflects the Government’s commitment to long-term economic growth and enables to LEP to reinvest in site development and other local priorities, such as workforce skills development.

Below is a summary of progress made on Leeds City Region Enterprise Zones sites in your area.

Gain Lane, Bradford

A decision regarding an application for grant funding by land owner and promoter of the scheme at Gain Lane, Marshalls Construction Ltd, which will facilitate the delivery of 316,500 square feet of commercial space, is expected in Autumn 2019. This development has the potential to host up to 550 jobs and the development of eight new units which will range from 40,000 to 75,000 square feet in size.

Moor Park, Kirklees

This 6.2 hectares site is progressing well with the first commercial unit due for completion in October this year. A total of five units, ranging from 9,000 to 100,000 square feet in size, are planned. This will deliver a total 261,500 square feet of commercial space. One unit has already been pre-let to a business with a further two Heads of Terms in the pipeline.

Lindley Moor West, Kirklees

Now complete, this site has successfully delivered over 140,600 square feet of commercial space and is fully occupied by three businesses.

Leeds Enterprise Zone, J45 M1

A logistics developer, PLP UK Logistics Venture, has put forward a proposal to complete site remediation and to bring forward 888,000 square feet of commercial space, with the intention of building four units on a speculative basis.

A planning decision from Leeds City Council is expected by the end of July. Once this has been agreed, marketing of the site will start, alongside conversations with potential occupiers.

South Kirkby, Wakefield

A total of 106,000 square feet of commercial space has been delivered on the South Kirkby site by Commercial Development Projects Limited, with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This has resulted in five new units, two of which are let to PHS, specialists in waste management, whilst two thirds of another are occupied by GalivinizeUK and VFS run a van conversion facility from the site.

Marshalls Construction Ltd will develop a further four new units, which is expected to total 62,500 square feet of commercial space on a speculative basis. The company will also extend Data Drive, the estate road, and the internal access road to the new units. It is envisaged the grant application, required to complete the infrastructure works, will take several months, after which construction can commence.