Langtree hands over final £25m phase at Hollinwood Junction
Contractor Russell WBHO has completed work on 192,000 sq ft of industrial space, forward-funded by Indurent.
The completion and handover marks the conclusuon of the main Hollinwood Junction project delivered by Langtree in partnership with Oldham Council
This £25m phase comprises 13 industrial units ranging from around 5,000 sq ft up to 42,000 sq ft.
Langtree development director Josh Downes said that this had been a challenging project: “Mine shafts, M60 retaining walls, gas holders: this site has thrown everything at us and it’s a testament to our team and advisors’ resilience and technical skills that we pieced the jigsaw together.
“The finished job has met its promise of turning a challenging brownfield site into a source of employment and economic competitiveness for Oldham and we’re delighted with the end result.”
Initially selected in 2007 as Oldham’s preferred development partner for Hollinwood, a motorway-adjacent site, Langtree entered into a strategic partnering agreement with the local authority in 2011. A further development agreement was signed in 2017.
Since then, development of the site has brought in retail, leisure and infrastructure, providing a blended asset, said Downes:
“This latest phase provides Oldham with the type of accommodation local firms need as they grow, and which can also attract new occupiers to the town. We said we wanted to leave an economic legacy and with the support of our partner, Oldham Council, we’ve been able to do just that.”
The site is adjacent to Junction 22 of the orbital M60 motorway, south-west of Oldham town centre, and is a key plank in the council’s ambitions to attract new employers to the area.
Indurent agreed terms last summer with Langtree to partner and forward-fund the delivery of the units, with work starting last August. B8RE is instructed as agent.
Jonathan McIlhinney, asset manager at Indurent, said: “Oldham is a strategically important location in Greater Manchester, and this development brings modern, sustainable industrial space to the area.
“Occupier interest has been strong throughout delivery, which is great validation of the scheme, and we hope to welcome our first customer to the site very soon. We look forward to building on that momentum as we bring the remaining units to market. Langtree has been an excellent partner in unlocking a complex site, and hope to continue working together in future.”
James Kington, Oldham Council’s director of growth, said: “This is a timely boost for Oldham’s employment market and a reminder of how competitive the town is when it comes to providing the infrastructure leading occupiers demand. The scheme is a testament to our partnership model and I’m looking forward to welcoming new tenants and watching them grow and succeed.”
Designed by Fletcher Rae, a BREEAM Excellent rating was targeted for the scheme, which saw translucent fascia materials used throughout to allow for maximum natural light within each unit. The project also includes extensive landscaping.
The properties are accessed from a recently constructed roundabout on Albert Street which also services the Costa drive-through developed by Langtree in an earlier phase, as well as the new Lidl store.
