SITA pays £3.2m for Darwen complex

Former bronzing firm Wolstenholme International has sold a 22-acre industrial site to the UK subsidiary of French energy giant Suez Environnement.

SITA plans to demolish most of the nine buildings on the site, on Lower Eccleshill Road in Darwen, retaining a 30,000 sq ft industrial unit and 13,000 sq ft of offices.

Working for Lancashire County Council, SITA currently collects the methane gas from three active landfill sites across the county; Clifton Marsh near Preston, Jameson Road near Fleetwood and Whinney Hill near Accrington, and also at a number of closed sites. The gas is then used to generate electricity.

WHR Property Consultants advised Wolstenholme International. Gary Chapman, associate partner of WHR, said: "This was a good result for our client as owing to the size and complex nature of the site, it was a difficult one to dispose of. However, we were able to secure a good price in testing market conditions and a purchaser who moved quickly. Recycling/waste management is a sector that we have seen a lot of activity in recently and this transaction further demonstrates the North West has the capacity to attract this type of operator."

Chapman continued: "We currently have a further 300,000 sq ft of space which is under offer and close to completion so hopefully this latest deal is a further sign that the level of market activity is increasing and things are moving in the right direction."

DTZ was the joint selling agent.