Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for development and investment, has sold the first plot of development land at the former Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire to CRT Property Developments Ltd, a subsidiary of The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, as part of the site’s long-term regeneration programme.
CRT Property Investments Ltd has acquired 3.04 acres that forms part of the main entrance to the site, the first phase of development following the site’s closure as a working colliery. It plans to build small industrial units totalling 39,000 sq. ft to support the growth of small and medium sized businesses, given the lack of good quality stock available elsewhere.
The organisation will now begin preparation work on the site, with construction of the units expected to begin in April 2021. Completion of the units is scheduled for September 2021, ready for CRT Property Investments Ltd to promote to local businesses. Harworth will provide enabling infrastructure to accommodate the new employment opportunities and in parallel will commence the wider facilitation of employment delivery on the site through a package of remediation and infrastructure works.
The deal forms a central part of Harworth’s wider redevelopment of the 151-acre former Colliery site into Konect – 1.45m square feet of consented manufacturing and distribution space. It is the UK’s only inland distribution park offering trimodal connectivity through easy access to the M62 motorway, a strategic rail connection that allows occupiers direct access to all major UK ports with links to Europe and wharf access to the Leeds to Goole canal system.
Following Kellingley Colliery’s closure in December 2015, Harworth took over the ownership of the site in March 2016. Since that point it has successfully demolished all redundant industrial structures including the site’s two former pitheads, whilst masterplanning the site for redevelopment. It received planning consent from Selby District Council for the redevelopment of the site in 2017 and intends to develop the site’s remaining land over the next decade to bring several hundred new jobs back to the area.
“We are committed to providing high quality industrial accommodation for SME’s in coalfield communities. These areas are often overlooked by traditional developers, yet we understand the importance of these neighbourhoods and the positive contribution they can make to the local and national economy. With the right support and assistance, we are happy to play our part in stimulating new industrial development at Kellingley. The development will provide much needed floor space to support the creation and safeguarding of much needed jobs and opportunities. In line with our Ask to the Government for assistance, we hope to replicate this development in many other coalfield areas. We are pleased that the land purchase has completed and we hope to work with Harworth again to secure further opportunities.”
Shaun O’Brien, Property Investment & Development Director, CRT
“This is an encouraging start for this important strategic brownfield site, which is an important part of our council’s Economic Development Framework. It brings much needed small scale industrial units to the district which is a vital resource for the growing enterprise businesses we have in our area and is critical to support the supply chain for larger businesses across the wider region. Selby District Council is committed to working with both developers and investors in our district to ensure we create the right environment for business growth, employment and prosperity. Our district is well-connected, with affordable business space, a high-skilled workforce and has been recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK. This development demonstrates our district is a flourishing area for new business development.”
Cllr David Buckle, Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development, Selby District Council
“This deal is excellent news for all parties, acting as the springboard to open up the site in both providing quality new jobs for local people in quality new spaces whist creating a welcoming entrance to show that employment is coming back to Kellingley. The Konect redevelopment has enormous potential to support the rebalancing and decarbonisation of the UK economy and this deal will act as the catalyst to bring hundreds of new jobs back to site as we’ve promised local people.”
Chris Davidson, Associate Director – Major Projects, Harworth Group plc