HBD and Barnfield pursue 800,000 sq ft Preston industrial
The developers’ joint venture has acquired a 62-acre farm just east of Roman Way Industrial Estate from a private landowner.
The site is designated for employment within Preston City Council’s local plan. If HBD and Barnfield are successful in achieving planning permission for an 800,000 sq ft industrial project, the developers estimate they could create up to 1,500 jobs.
HBD and Barnfield filed an outline planning application last year for the site, calling for permission to construct 12 warehouses ranging from 26,000 sq ft to 147,000 sq ft. Fletcher Rae is the architect of the warehouses and masterplan.
The project team also includes Mode Transport, Bowland Tree Consultancy, and Bowland Ecology. Sandy Brown is the noise consultant, Ridge and Partners is the flood risk and drainage expert, and BWB is the heritage consultant.
The outline planning application came after years of discussions with Preston City Council over what would be acceptable on the site. HBD and Barnfield are aiming to achieve planning permission this summer, with infrastructure work beginning in the autumn.
Reflecting on the land acquisition, Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: “The deal reflects HBD’s continued focus on delivering high-quality, sustainable industrial and logistics space in prime locations.
“Just over a mile from the M6, this site is extremely well located and would no doubt see strong interest from potential occupiers, particularly given the shortage of Grade A space along key corridors,” he said.
Tracy Clavell-Bate, head of development for Barnfield Group, echoed Hutchinson’s sentiments. “We are looking forward to working again with HBD on this significant project for us as a developer and for Preston,” she said. “It also secures 800,000 sq. ft. of build for our contracting arm, Barnfield Construction.”
HBD and Barnfield were represented by JMW Solicitors, Gerald Eve, and Eckersley & Co in the purchase of the plot. Dean Young of Young and Co Property Consultants acted on behalf of the landowner.
To learn more about the project, you can search for application number 06/2022/0745 on Preston City Council’s planning portal.
