Business Park
Over the past 10 years David Wrigley Planning has been working to completely transform what was an unprofitable pig farm into a high value business park that has transformed the fortunes of the farmers involved and secured the future for the owners and their family.
In 2003 the concept of diversification in farming was new in the North of England. Convincing planners of the potential and the merits to the region of moving rural enterprise into the commercial space was a significant challenge. It took considerable vision at the time by pig farmers Mr and Mrs Edge to see the potential of the farm they owned, just 4 miles from the M6 and on the A59 main artery route between Preston and Skipton. The site is also well placed to access the cities and business hinterland of Manchester and Leeds.
The 2.5 acre site initially housed a number of pig sheds and outbuildings and the farmers had already established the farm butchery shop on site selling pork produce to both trade and the general public. They brought David Wrigley Planning on board in 2003 to help them develop a strategic long term plan and realise the potential of the site.
David’s specialist knowledge of rural planning, his communication and negotiation skills all resulted in a number of successful planning applications over the years which made the most effective use of his time and his clients’ resource to achieve both the agreed short term and the long term goals. Beginning in 2003 with an application for change of use, Mr and Mrs Edge turned a 1/3 of the floor space of their farm shop into a café to attract more passing custom. The café was a great success and added significantly to the site’s turnover.
Since then a total of 7 applications have been made for change of use to convert or replace all the farm buildings into 17,000 square feet of light industrial and commercial units which have all since been rented out to businesses as diverse as furniture making, motor trade, sports and leisure wear, garden decking construction, and office based businesses.
In 2010 David achieved advertising consent for a large (3.40m x 2.14m) sign fronting the main road and adjacent to the new entrance road onto the major route A59
(the planning for which was also secured by David), advertising the whole business site to passing trade. The signage formally marked the nature and importance of the site as a Business Park.
The total site is currently generating a decent turnover for reinvestment in the site and a very healthy return, despite the recession.
David Wrigley Planning has secured permission on 23rd December 2011 for the couple to build an additional small unit for a local micro business to grow into.
Ongoing plans are in place to develop the site further to maximise its potential.