Bury plans overhaul of ‘dilapidated’ 25-acre industrial estate
The council has owned Bradley Fold Trading Estate since 1983 and is planning to redevelop the 275,000 sq ft asset, parts of which are uninsurable.
The age of the units and a lack of investment over the last 20 years has resulted in much of the estate falling into a “dilapidated obsolete condition”, the council said.
Zurich’s decision to withdraw its £39m third party insurance for parts of the 25-acre Bury industrial estate has created a “regeneration opportunity” for the council, according to a cabinet report.
As such, the authority is on the hunt for a design team and project manager to take the project forward. A demolition contractor is also sought to knock down unsalvageable elements of the scheme.
In addition, the council will seek to terminate “existing leases [that] provide an obligation for the council to insure and repair/rebuild the buildings”, the report states.
It is hoped that redeveloping the site will reduce risk to the council and could create “a modern industrial hub” that increases income to the council, currently £250,000 a year. Rents at the estate are as low as £1.50/sq ft at present.
The redevelopment of the site has been a long time in gestation. Part of the site has been earmarked for regeneration for more than a decade.
A clutch of buildings were knocked down in 2010 to pave the way for the construction of 40,000 sq ft of new-build space but the project stalled due to the impact of the recession.
Would they not be better placed to attract occupiers by focussing on Atom Valley/Northern Gatway and redevelop this site for residential. Its not the best located site for industrial use
By Anonymous
I agree. The site is not best placed for large vehicle use. Residential development would seem more sensible
By Anon
As long as it provides jobs,for the Radcliffe and Bury area,, all the lost jobs, IE 4 paper mills, unable to count engineer works, textile works bring something positive to the area,
By Dennis Dewhurst
That industrial estate is glamorous compared to the eye sore, and dangerous Radcliffe Industrial Estate down Milltown Street. Investment is needed to clear this whole area. It a Health and safety risk, yet your investing a ridiculous amount of money on a bridge to cross the river.
Beggars belief really that it’s being built in an area worse than a slum.
By Shirley Simmons
Yet again successful businesses are being forced to move by a lack of care by the council. When will they learn?
By Michael Vine
Why not use it for building houses in instead of using GREENBELT land.
By Anonymous
If they built residential homes on the site they could leave green belt alone.
By Anonymous
Build affordable housing there and keep your hands off our beautiful countryside in Walshaw!
By Annmarie Daly
It would be great if new units were from 1000 sq ft upwards so smaller businesses could afford to rent them.
By Anonymous