Peel Holdings have started work on a project in Wakefield that will provide a significant boost to the local economy with the creation of up to 6000 jobs for local people.

Calder Park will be the first development of it’s kind in the UK, combining a state of the art business park alongside a wildlife haven, on a 240 acre site at a prime location at junction 39 of the M1.

A further 30 acres will be set aside for landscaping with the possibility of integrating a nine hole golf course in the middle of the site. Peel Holdings believe this will create an open space through the development and that the unique leisure facility will add to the attraction of the sites’ already ideal location for investors.

As one of the most innovative developments of its kind, around 110 acres of land will be developed into high quality office accommodation comprising more than one million sq ft.

This space will comprise 28 bespoke design and build units ranging from 20,000 sq ft to in excess of 100,000 sq ft. All of the office buildings will focus on the latest in energy efficient design with low running costs. They will also use striking atria features to increase natural light, allow ventilation and reduce external wall elements.

This commercial development will be combined with the transformation of a further 130 acres of former quarry into a wildlife haven to ensure the protection of Lapwing and other species. The wetland reserve will be designed in full consultation with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and English Nature.

Roger Wheeldon, senior development surveyor at Peel Holdings, said: “Peel Holdings is fully committed to developing local employment opportunities and Calder Park represents a significant development for the local and regional economy, enabling us to realise our ambitions of creating new jobs while protecting the local wildlife habitats.”

Work has already started on the £100m scheme. Peel Holdings have invested in excess of £2m to date during infrastructure works carried out by Wakefield MBC, including a new roundabout at Denby Dale Road to allow easy access to Calder Park.

A Bass development comprising a 100 bedroom Holiday Inn Express and Vintage Inn restaurant and public house is well under way on the site, creating 40 additional local jobs.

Joint Agents GVA Grimley and Lambert Smith Hampton are already receiving significant enquiries for space. Paul Morris, Director at LSH commented:

“We believe the Calder Park site will become one of the UK’s most harmonious working environments providing enormous attraction to occupiers seeking a quality regional headquarters or main operating base”

Ian Elsworth of GVA Grimley added:
“The key factor is the location. Calder Park is ideally situated adjacent to jct 39 of the M1 close to the major conurbations of Leeds and Sheffield. Wakefield City Centre is only 4 miles away and the site boasts a catchment area of up to 9,000,000 people within an hour and half drive time”.