The scheme by Lancashire County Developments Limited will replace a 450,000 sq ft building which was destroyed by fire in December 2011 and is the largest new industrial and logistics scheme to take place nationwide since the onset of the economic downturn.

First units to complete summer 2013

Construction works are well advanced, with the first units to be completed for July/August this year.  Three buildings are to be constructed, providing in total 390,000 sq ft.  Two adjoining units (12m clear headroom) of 166,000 sq ft can be combined to provide 332,000 sq ft in total, or can be subdivided from 80,000 sq ft. 

The third unit (6m clear headroom) provides 50,000 sq ft and can be subdivided from 5,000 sq ft.  Planning permission has been obtained for a fourth unit of 60,000 sq ft currently available on a build to suit basis.

Discussions are also ongoing with the two existing tenants about continuing their tenancies.

Excellent opportunity for the North West region

Andrew Aherne, Head of Industrial and Logistics in our Manchester office, said: "We are delighted to be instructed on this high profile scheme which comes at a time when there is a real shortage of available new/modern manufacturing and logistics buildings across virtually all size ranges in the key locations of the North West."

"Over 5m sq ft of new speculatively built Big Box Logistics buildings, which were developed prior to the downturn, have now been taken up and there will shortly be no new buildings of 100,000 sq ft and above available in the North West as a whole."

The development will provide a huge boost for both manufacturing and logistics businesses based in Lancashire and the wider North West region.

LSH and Jones LaSalle are joint agents.