ST MODWEN TO DEVELOP BUSINESS PARK IN BLACKBURN

St Modwen Developments has entered into a development agreement with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to develop a 15-acre greenfield site into a  high quality business park to serve medical, science and knowledge-based businesses.

It is anticipated that the £25 million business park, adjacent to the newly-extended Queens Park Hospital close to M65 Junction 4, could create up to 1,000 jobs.

St Modwen is to implement a rolling programme of development and has already submitted a planning application for an initial phase which will include a 30,000 sq ft innovation centre and 16,400 sq ft of grow-on space.

The innovation centre will be managed by St Modwen and provide services, support and meeting facilities to start-up and fledging businesses in accommodation of between 250 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft on flexible terms. The grow-on space can provide accommodation of between 3,000 sq ft to 16,000 sq ft for  more established companies.

Construction of the first phase, subject to planning, will commence in June and be ready for occupation mid-summer 2008.

Steve Knowles of St Modwen, said: “This is a high-profile site and in total will comprise up to 223,000 sq ft of  high quality employment space. The first phase, including the innovation centre, will be a great facility for start-up and expanding technology-based businesses and will provide a catalyst to the park’s further development.”

He added that  there was the opportunity for buildings to be designed to meet specific occupiers’ needs and that he had already received interest from two parties seeking to relocate.

For further information contact Steve Knowles (01925 825950). Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121 236 7771).