14 December 2006

Langtree Group, LLDC and EP Partnership expands in Merseyside

Further regeneration plans for Northshore, Liverpool have been announced today as developer, Langtree Group plc has joined landowner English Partnerships and Liverpool Land Development Company (LLDC) to regenerate three derelict sites adjacent to Merseyrail's Sandhills station into Wellington Employment Park South and Connect Business Village.

This project forms part of the Northshore regeneration initiative within the Atlantic Gateway Strategic Investment Area (SIA), one of four gateway routes into Liverpool, which have been identified as the city's key areas for potential business growth. The 16,843 sq m (181,300 sq ft) development will comprise office and industrial accommodation and will span over the three separate sites - Derby Road, Dunes Way and Half Crown Street.

Work is due to start on the £20million business park in December 2006 following funding approvals from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Merseyside Objective One European regeneration programme. When completed, the scheme will comprise of fully serviced and self-contained office space together with industrial workspace and a children's nursery.

Stephen Barnes, North West Regional Director at Langtree says of the development: "This is an extremely significant regeneration project for Liverpool, and forms one of a number of key regeneration schemes that Langtree is driving forward in the city.

"This mixed-use scheme will provide small businesses with a cost effective opportunity to occupy good quality office and workspace accommodation without the burden of long leases or large overheads", Stephen continued. "The sites benefit from being strategically located adjacent to Sandhills station and within close proximity of the city centre.  We are confident this will be another successful project for Langtree, in partnership with LLDC and English Partnerships."

Carol Clarke, English Partnerships' Regeneration Manager said: "This development forms an important part of the wider plans underway for Northshore and importantly, will help to attract further private sector investment to the area in future."
 
LLDC Chief Executive, David Waugh, added: "We are delighted that this important project has received funding approval and is now getting under way.

"Wellington Employment Park is a key element in our plans for the regeneration of the Atlantic Gateway corridor and will help us to attract much-needed investment and jobs to this part of the city.

"We also hope that Langtree's scheme will act as a catalyst for further high-quality development in north Liverpool docklands."

The commercial developments announced today are in addition to other recently announced plans, including Langtree's submission of a planning application to redevelop the former International Garden Festival site.

Richard Nutter, the Director of the Merseyside Objective One programme, said: "It is vital that good quality industrial and business space is available in Merseyside if the area is retain and develop its newly found spirit of commercial optimism. The investment in the village and business park that we are making with our partners is not simply about bricks and mortar regeneration - it is about fuelling that optimism and ensuring that Liverpool can build on its emerging reputation as a great place to do business."

Paul Lakin, NWDA Head of Development, said: "With increasing developer and investor confidence in Merseyside I am confident that this scheme will be a resounding success, attracting a number of businesses to the area and making a positive contribution the development of North Liverpool."

NOTES TO EDITORS

The European Union awarded Merseyside Objective One funding for a second time in 2000 as the area's economic performance - as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head - was below 75 per cent of the EU average. Being classified as an Objective One area means that between 2000 and 2008 Merseyside will benefit from a £2billion investment programme - £890 million from the European Union, matched by £890 million from the UK Government and a further £400 million from the private sector.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region's outstanding quality of life

Ends

For further information:
Nicky Hughes/Kate Longden
Roland Dransfield PR
0161 236 1122
Firstname.Lastname@rdpr.co.uk