Development on Kingsway moving forward

Masterplan

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Development on Kingsway is moving forward considerably with the first building constructions on Plot E being granted planning permission on 19 December 2006. This was for the creation of four industrial units and Wilson Bowden Developments (WBD) has now started construction on three of these units. Completion, occupation and first employment of these units is expected for autumn 2007. Following this, a further planning application will be submitted for the fourth unit which will now be a design and build unit.  

The next planning application will be submitted for offices on Plot G over the next couple of months; this is in addition to applications for industrial units on Plot D.

Phase 1 infrastructure works are due for completion in summer 2007, when the water attenuation ponds and junction 21 will be completed.  The spine road is currently due for public opening in autumn 2007. 

Tenders for Phase 2 infrastructure works are due to be submitted in February 2007, for commencement of works in April 2007 and completion April 2008.

Enquiries

Kingsway is already in demand with over 80 enquiries currently listed on the database.  These enquiries range from expanding Rochdale companies to those from Greater Manchester and the North West.  These are purely from word of mouth highlighting the sheer profile that Kingsway has created for itself within the region.  The marketing campaign is due to be stepped up in spring 2007 and this should create a vast increase in enquiries on a regional and national basis.

There are two companies currently in contractual negotiations with WBD to take units on Plot E, it is anticipated that these will be confirmed within the next couple of months.  There are several other enquiries near to contractual negotiations and these include interest in the Hotel on Plot C and a design and build unit on Plot D.

Overall, the Kingsway Partnership is working to ensure those companies that are placed on Kingsway will provide the strongest benefits to the local community and economy. 

 Transport

Work is continuing to ensure there is public transport serving the site from the opening of the first unit in autumn 2007. 

It is likely that a shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway and bus stations to the site, as well as Demand Responsive Transport, (DRT), which will provide access to the site for residents of Heywood, Middleton and other satellite towns within the Borough. 

These services (Shuttle Bus and DRT) will be out to tender very soon.  DRT is a door-to-door service which will allow residents to access the employment opportunities arising from the development.

The transport plan has now been adopted and we look forward to a Transport Co-ordinator joining the delivery team in the near future.