Caddick appointed for 100,000 sq ft Skem industrial
West Lancashire Council’s development arm, Tawd Valley Developments, has moved its plans for the £200m regeneration of Skelmersdale forward with the award of a £14m construction contract for part of the project.
Caddick Construction has been appointed to build 45 business units at White Moss Business Park, just off the M58, which will provide 100,000 sq ft in total. Work is expected to begin in June and wrap up in December 2026.
This project is one TVD’s £200m Skelmersdale masterplan, which has been approved by the council.
Skelmersdale’s reset will see 75 acres of the town’s centre developed to provide 600 homes and more than 500,000 sq ft of space – 28,000 sq ft of which will be commercial, and include both a business start-up centre and a wellbeing hub.
Up to 182 homes are to be built within the area designated as the town centre.
Plans also include a refresh of the existing library and enhancements to the Concourse Shopping Centre off Northway.
A large-scale residential scheme comprising around 425 affordable homes for rent and sale is due to be built at a site in Glenburn, and could be served by a new railway station, providing connections to Liverpool, Wigan, and Manchester for relocating residents.
TVD’s town park plan’s set out upgrades to Tawd Valley Park via the creation of a visitor centre, that would double as a community hub.
An existing amphitheatre will be refurbished to allow for outdoor events to take place.
The erection of 18 affordable homes overlooking the visitor centre is the final piece of the Skelmersdale masterplan jigsaw.
TVD has signalled its intent to take on a master developer role to facilitate the delivery of larger-scale commercial and mixed-use schemes for the council.
Mark Kitts, managing director at TVD, said: “This is a big step forward for our business, enabling us to gear up to manage much larger projects as we seek to build on the positive growth in the borough’s economy.
“We have spoken to almost thirty potential development and funding partners about our ambitions and, in addition to benefitting from some extremely useful advice and insights, got a clear view of the market’s appetite for investing in the town.
“I’m very encouraged and relishing discussions with more potential partners at UKREiif, as we want all eyes on Skelmersdale.”
West Lancashire Council may also invest in a slice of the properties to add to its existing housing stock.
Funding for the project has been predominantly drawn from the private sector, although the council expects that certain projects, such as the business incubator and proposed train station, would require central government funding.
Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Council, said that the plan is “ ambitious”, “practical”, and “deliverable”.
She said: “The plan aligns with our growing Economic Development Strategy, and complements our Local Plan, all while driving investment, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable growth.
“By working with TVD, we’re ensuring the Council remains firmly in the driving seat. Residents’ interests will stay front and centre as we move from planning to delivery.”
The council has worked alongside TVD, Tetra Tech, Hive Land and Planning, and Lambert Smith Hampton to bring the scheme forward.
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