A huge 120-acre industrial and distribution park is to be launched next month following the completion of a key new link road. Hailed as the north west’s ‘largest sustainable industrial development opportunity’, HPARK, in Heywood, is based off the new Queen Elizabeth Way link road which connects the M62 with the town’s logistics area at Pilsworth Road.
It will provide up to 1.45 million sq ft of floor space across six units ranging in size from 39,000 sq ft to 688,000 sq ft, with the potential to create more than 2,400 new jobs. The largest unit already has full planning approval and is ready for construction to begin once a firm is signed up to operate the building.
Developer Russells begins marketing the site next month and has made a number of commitments to support potential tenants’ carbon reduction ambitions - including roof-mounted solar panels, and electric vehicle chargers. Based just nine miles from Manchester city centre, bosses describe it as a ‘net zero industrial development opportunity’ in the region’s ‘manufacturing and distribution heartland’.
Andrew Russell, joint managing director, said: “HPARK provides a new opportunity in the current market for operators looking to specify a bespoke facility to their exact requirements.” He believes the largest unit, in particular, is unique in the region and - given the ‘ lack of large-scale distribution space under construction’ would be an ‘attractive prospect for operators’.
The area off Pilsworth Road is already home to major brands such as Argos, Kuhne & Nagel, Aramex and Fowler Welch - a fact not lost on Mr Russsell. “The location is already acknowledged as one of the best in the region for east to west connectivity, as demonstrated by household names located within the wider South Heywood logistics hub,” he added.
“The newly opened motorway link road makes the area even more attractive by reducing journey times thereby cutting fuel costs and carbon emissions.”
CBRE and Colliers have been appointed joint agents. Paul Cook, CBRE senior director, said: “The north west has seen record take-up over the past two years and HPARK has come at the right time to supply much-needed space to support local, national and global operators in the region.
John Sullivan, Colliers’ director of industrial and logistics, added: “The opening of the new link road is a gamechanger for Heywood and makes HPARK one of the best connected sites in the region. The location is within two hours’ drive of almost 30% of the UK population, in an area world-renowned for logistics with a skilled and available workforce, and will accommodate all types of distribution requirements.”
After opening Queen Elizabeth Way last month, Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott said the authority was focussed on bringing ‘high paid, high skilled jobs to the area’ - and ensuring local people have the skills to do them.
The road is also a key part of unlocking the huge - and controversial - South Heywood development, which includes up to 1,000 new homes. Coun Emmott said the area needed new homes and more people living in the area would bring prosperity - boosting local businesses and aiding the regeneration of both Middleton and Heywood town centres.
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