Harworth Estates has applied to Bolton Council to develop 4 million sq ft of distribution and manufacturing space at its Logistics North site, which is located by junction 4 of the M61 near Bolton. The application is expected to be determined before the end of the year and, if successful, infrastructure works will commence in spring 2014.
The aim is to create a major employment centre across 200 acres, which are set in 600 acres of agricultural land. Harworth’s plans include turning some of this surrounding land into a country park for the benefit of local people.
The Logistics North site, located at the former Cutacre opencast coal mine site between Over Hulton in Bolton, Greenheys and Little Hulton in Salford, and Atherton in Wigan, will become one of the largest logistics and manufacturing centres in the north. The scheme will comprise 4 million sq ft of bespoke buildings, ranging in size from 161,000 sq ft to 1 million sq ft.
Harworth has already agreed to sell the first site to Aldi, the supermarket group, for its new 450,000 sq ft regional distribution hub.
Owen Michaelson, Chief Executive of Harworth Estates, says: “This is a great opportunity to help the North West’s economy grow. Aldi has already committed to the site for a new Regional Distribution Centre and we hope to attract further major companies to the area.
“Once completed, our Logistics North site is likely to provide several thousand jobs in accordance with local planning policy. There’s been a lot of interest already and we are determined to create a first-class industrial and logistics centre.
“This development can make a really positive difference to the area and we’re determined to make this happen.”
More detail on Logistics North can be found here or via our dedicated website.