The Logistics North development was approved this week by Salford City Council and Wigan Council, ratifying the approval given by Bolton Council on Thursday last week. Due to the development’s size and impact on the region, it had to be approved by all three councils before receiving outline consent.
Logistics North will provide 4 million sq ft of distribution and manufacturing space on a 250-acre site at junction 4 of the M61 near Bolton. Harworth will also create a new country park for the benefit of local people on 550 acres of surrounding land. Infrastructure works are expected to commence in spring 2014.
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: “Our scheme will make a significant contribution to the North West’s economy. We are delighted to have received full planning consent as a result of the support from Bolton Council, Salford City Council and Wigan Council.
“We are fully committed to creating a first-class industrial and logistics centre that is likely to provide several thousand jobs in accordance with local planning policy.”
Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: “This is a site of huge importance for Bolton and the wider region, and I’m pleased that planning committee has backed the plans. There will be thousands of jobs created for our residents and the whole site will bring a huge boost to Bolton for years to come.”
Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “I am pleased that Salford’s Planning Panel has approved this exciting development.
“It has become a reality because of the genuine partnership between three local authorities and the private sector.
“I look forward to the investment bringing local jobs benefitting all local residents including those in Salford, and to the Country Park – which forms an integral part of the development bringing huge benefits to the local area.”
Tim Newns, Chief Executive of MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, commented on the scheme: “Logistics North is a landmark development not just for Bolton, but for Greater Manchester and the North West. It will help the region to realise its ambitions of attracting high value logistics and manufacturing employers, creating highly sought after new jobs and securing millions of pounds of new investment over the next 15 years.”
Logistics North, which is located at the former Cutacre opencast coal mine site, will comprise 4 million sq ft of bespoke buildings, ranging in size from 161,000 sq ft to 1 million sq ft. Agents are Jones Lang LaSalle and DTZ, which also acted as planning consultant.
