Drawbridge Securities has won planning permission for a 1m sq ft rail-linked industrial and distribution scheme in Widnes, Lancashire.
The £65m Innovis scheme is situated near the Runcorn Bridge, close to the River Mersey, and will include units of between 35,000 sq ft and 500,000 sq ft.
The scheme, on a 45-acre site, will be one of the few freight developments in the North West to be linked directly to the West Coast Mainline.
Buildings will be directly served by rail sidings, while road freight loading is also accommodated along facing elevations.
Drawbridge has already developed schemes in the south of England.
Keith Williams, the firm’s operational director in the UK, said: “The high demand for distribution sheds in the North West, coupled with the large scale availability of brownfield sites and tax advantages, prompted Drawbridge Securities to move northwards.”
Initial enabling and infrastructure works are due to commence on site by the end of 2006.
Buildings will be available leasehold on a bespoke basis.
King Sturge and Littler & Associates are retained as joint letting agents.
Alastair Newman, partner at King Sturge, said: “Innovis is extremely well located for the north west motorway network and a large, flexible labour pool in the immediate vicinity.”
References: EGi News 17/11/05
