Plot C provides one of the last available development opportunities on Shadsworth Business Park, a strategic employment site located at J5 of M65.
The Business Park provides employment opportunities within the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen in the manufacturing, warehousing and distribution and office sectors. The Borough has a population of approximately 147,000 and has a proud history of manufacturing with a thriving business base of around 4,500 firms and 65,000 employees having key specialisms in industries such as paper based products, rubber, plastics, chemicals, paint, fabricated metal and textiles.
Planning
Within the adopted local plan the site is identified as being in a Business and Industrial Development Area with the most appropriate uses being B1 (business), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) as covered by Policy EC2.
It will be the responsibility of prospective purchasers to consult with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s planning officers to confirm whether their proposed uses and proposals are acceptable.
Offers may be made subject to planning.
Services
All mains services are understood to be located in the adjacent highways. However interested parties should make their own inquiries of the service providers to confirm the adequacy of supply levels for the proposed development.
Ground Investigations
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council commissioned a ground investigation report in 1999 and this will be made available to interested parties on request.
However this report was prepared solely for the use of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and in view of this and the passage of time, third parties should not place any reliance on the information contained therein.
CLOSING DATE AND GUIDANCE FOR OFFERS
Interested parties are required to submit offers by 12.00 noon on Thursday 21st May 2015.
Offers to be submitted to Capita - Property & Infrastructure, Castleway House, 17 Preston New Road,
Blackburn, BB2 1AU using the return label provided.
Notes:
The Council is under no obligation to accept the highest or any offer.
Offers should be unconditional except for planning and ground investigations.
Location
The plot is situated approximately half a mile from the motorway junction, 2 miles to the south of Blacburn Town Centre and is ideally located for access via the local, regional and national road network.
Accommodation
A previously undeveloped site with an approximate area of 1.865 ha (4.6 acres), the plot gently slopes downwards from west to east and has adopted highway frontages to both Partnership Way and Sett End Road North.
Terms
The site is offered for sale by way of a premium for a 125 year lease at a rent of £1.00 p.a.
Method of Disposal
It is the Council’s preferred position that the site be disposed of as a whole but the Council may consider bids for part(s) of the site providing that the remainder of the site can be effectively developed. The sale process will be by way of a non-binding informal tender. Bids received will be subject to a selection process from which a preferred bidder(s) will be identified. An agreed exclusivity period will enable a detailed scheme to be prepared and submitted for planning consideration.
Following the receipt of planning consent a 20% deposit will be paid and a conditional building agreement entered into in accordance with the developer/occupier’s approved scheme. The agreement will set out a detailed project programme with clear milestones for the delivery of an approved scheme. An indicative timescale for the development of the site as a whole is 24 months and if subdivided into individual parcels, 12 months. The lease(s) will be concluded only upon practical completion of the approved development.
In addition to the financial offer the following information is required to support any submission made in order for the Council to assess the feasibility and deliverability of the proposals which it considers are the critical factors.
• Indicative proposals including sketch plans and drawings illustrating development options.
• A statement demonstrating the feasibility of the type of development proposed, with particular reference to planning matters.
• A statement showing the capability of the purchaser including examples of previous completed developments, where possible.
• Evidence of availability of purchase and development finance.
• Information regarding the financial standing of the bidder.
• Indicative timescales for completion of site acquisition and the development.
The Council reserves the right to undertake any necessary inquiries in respect of any supporting information provided.
Specification
- Development Land
- 1.865ha (4.6 acres)
- B1, B2 & B8 uses
- Offers invited by way of informal tender