Planning rule changes mean farmers can be more flexible with new income stream development

Stuart Pearcey
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Planning rule changes mean farmers can be more flexible with new income stream development
From today Lincolnshire farmers will be able to convert unused buildings into homes and shops thanks to new planning laws. The changes give farmers greater freedoms to diversify and grow their business, without having to spend time and money submitting a planning application. They will be able to convert agricultural buildings and land into new business opportunities, such as outdoor sports facilities, larger farm shops and farm training centres, as well as housing, thanks to the changes to permitted development rights . These new powers come in a week after the Farm to Fork Summit, where the Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to backing farmers who keep this country fed. The changes coming into force will give them new freedoms to diversify if they choose to. Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety Lee Rowley said: “Farmers are the lifeblood of communities, and these changes give them the freedom to grow their businesses, and plan for their futures.

“This is all part of our Long-term Plan for Housing to deliver more homes for rural communities and reform the planning system, removing unnecessary barriers to development.”

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “I am extremely pleased to support our farmers and provide them the freedom to decide the best uses for buildings on their land, without needless bureaucracy holding them back.

“We are listening to farmers and putting them at the heart of future development of our rural areas. Helping farmers secure their businesses and get on with the important job of producing food is our top priority.”

Falconer Print swoop for new premises

Tess Egginton
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Falconer Print swoop for new premises
Falconer Print and Packaging Limited are expanding their operations into Unit H5 Premier Way, a modern 15,000 sq ft detached warehouse unit on the Lowfields Business Park in Elland, near Leeds. The asset, which is managed by York-based Citivale, and owned by a Nuveen segregated mandate, was formerly occupied by Exertis until December of last year. The Yorkshire industrial and logistics team at global property consultancy Knight Frank secured a long-term lease deal on behalf of the landlord. Richard Martin, MD of Falconer Print, said: “We have been looking for a new site since lockdown. With demand outstripping supply, it has been very difficult to find somewhere that meets the needs of the business, especially as the main focus was retaining our highly skilled and loyal workforce. The second site here on Lowfields is the perfect solution.” Rebecca Farnsworth of Citivale added: “We are delighted to welcome Falconer Print and Packaging to the Estate. The unit was competitively sought after, underlining the current strength of the occupier market and lack of alternative options. The unit was let following a refurbishment with minimal void.” Iain McPhail, partner in the industrial and logistics team at Knight Frank, Yorkshire, who brokered the letting, said: “This is an ideal solution for Falconer Print and Packaging, as they already have a base at Lowfields Business Park. This deal allows them to grow their operations in the local area.”

Specialist recruitment group transfers to Employee Ownership Trust

Tess Egginton
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Specialist recruitment group transfers to Employee Ownership Trust

The ownership of Sharp Consultancy has been transferred to an Employee Ownership Trust.

The Yorkshire-based firm is a specialist recruitment group focusing on finance, accounting and HR positions.

With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, Sharp Consultancy has enjoyed sustained success for over 32 years.​

Mark Wilson, Managing Director, says: “As we serve our valued clients and candidates across Yorkshire, this development is not only central to both our values and growth strategy, but also a source of great pride for me and the directors.

“Staff longevity is a hallmark of our heritage and as we now entrust our ownership to all employees, I am delighted for them. There’s a bright future ahead and a tremendous opportunity for our wonderful team. It’s also great that our directors and shareholders will all enjoy this EOT journey, helping to assure our continued success.

“I’d also like to thank our professional advisers, Andy Ryder at Shorts and Matt Ainsworth at Knights. We provide trusted guidance and support to our clients, and they’ve undoubtedly done the same for us.”

Rolls-Royce SMR partners with University of Sheffield for new manufacturing and testing facility

Tess Egginton
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Rolls-Royce SMR partners with University of Sheffield for new manufacturing and testing facility
Rolls-Royce SMR is partnering with the University of Sheffield to launch a major new manufacturing and testing facility in South Yorkshire. The Rolls-Royce SMR Module Development Facility (MDF), which will be housed in the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s existing Factory 2050, is set to manufacture and test prototype modules for small modular reactors (SMRs). The first phase is worth £2.7 million and will be part of a wider £15+ million package of work that will further de-risk and underpin the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that are designed to be factory-built and transported to operational sites for installation. The technology is seen as a clean energy solution that is easier to deliver, scale and is more affordable than building new larger nuclear power stations. Each Rolls-Royce SMR could provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years. The new facility at the University of Sheffield AMRC will produce working prototypes of individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants. Victoria Scott, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Chief Manufacturing Engineer, said: “Our investment in setting up this facility and building prototype modules is another significant milestone for our business. “Our factories will produce hundreds of prefabricated and pre-tested modules ready for assembly on site. This facility will allow us to refine our production, testing and digital approach to manufacturing – helping de-risk our programme and ensure we increase our delivery certainty.” Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We are very proud that Rolls-Royce SMR has chosen to base its module development facility at our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Factory 2050. “Today’s announcement is a testament to the University’s strengths in clean energy research and innovation, and our unrivalled expertise in developing leading-edge manufacturing techniques. We welcome this significant commitment from Rolls-Royce SMR to our ongoing partnership and the South Yorkshire region.” South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “This announcement cements South Yorkshire’s position as the leading place to build small modular reactors, a cutting-edge technology which will be a key part of the global transition to clean energy. “It is also a sign of real confidence in our region’s world-leading advanced manufacturing innovation district which is helping us to create a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire. “South Yorkshire is proud to be the home of the largest Clean Tech cluster in the UK, with specialisms in nuclear tech, hydrogen and aviation fuels. “Being chosen as the home of the new Rolls-Royce SMR Module Development Facility further enhances our region’s reputation as the best place for Clean Tech in the UK and puts us at the forefront of creating a greener future for the UK and beyond.” Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economy, Skills and Development Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “As a city filled with innovators we’re committed to driving prosperity, this latest announcement from the University of Sheffield is yet another example of our forward-thinking approach. “The new multi-million pound investment brings with it new jobs as well as advances in technology which could power millions homes for decades to come.”

Leeds Beckett forms new partnership to boost growth of Doncaster-based Westdale Group

Michael Fisher
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Leeds Beckett forms new partnership to boost growth of Doncaster-based Westdale Group
Marketing experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with Doncaster-based Westdale Group Ltd to support the company’s ambitious plans for growth – and help them meet the increasing demand for home energy efficiency projects crucial to the Government’s net zero plans.
The project is a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. Academics based in Leeds Business School will work closely with the Westdale management team to enable them to achieve sustainable growth in their existing, and new markets – including investigating opportunities to diversify their expert services. Westdale Group Limited are a provider of whole house refurbishment services – such as external wall, cavity wall, and loft insulation – through a group of companies. They specialise in projects for local authorities, housing associations and contractors for both social housing and commercial properties. They also design and manufacture their own high performance insulation products under the brands Structherm and ArtBrick. Dr Catherine Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Global and Strategic Marketing at Leeds Beckett University and KTP project lead, explained: “Westdale is well regarded in the industry and this project will support them in leveraging this reputation to increase market share to grow both turnover and profit. By embedding advanced strategic marketing and new branding capabilities, we will improve Westdale’s position in the supply chain and procurement frameworks, realising their ambition to bid for larger and more prestigious contracts. “Through this partnership, we will address a complex set of challenges, creating a more sustainable platform for onward growth and embedding a business model across the group of companies, that is more dynamic and agile. As a result, Westdale will be better able to respond to meet the expanding demand for refurbishment projects which are crucial to achieving the Government’s net zero ambitions.”

Food processing facility gets green light in Easton

Tess Egginton
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Food processing facility gets green light in Easton
Plans for a food processing facility in Easton, Lincolnshire, have been approved by South Kesteven District Council. The application site, off Burton Lane, forms part of the existing Magnavale Group and XPO Logistics site which comprises of a number of storage and distribution warehouses and ancillary offices, providing cold storage for frozen food products. The buildings were developed in the late 1960s, and the site is best known locally for being previously operated by Christian Salvesen Limited. Various buildings have been updated over the 50-60 years of operation, with a new coldstore food warehouse under construction. The proposed development site for the food processing facility consists of an area of vacant, brownfield land, which previously contained a warehouse building. The processing facility, which will have a total footprint of 18,630 sq m, will operate alongside the other coldstores on site, which will be utilised for storing the raw materials and the final product. It will bring new life to the former McCain’s factory site. Easton Properties Limited, part of the Sadel Group, is behind the plans. The Sadel Group has plans for the whole brownfield site to operate as a hub for controlled-temperature storage of both raw materials and finished product, reducing food miles. Further, the group plans to develop an anaerobic digester plant in the northern part of the site area to produce renewable energy to feed the cold storage plants.

Footwear retailer’s job-creating warehouse expansion plans approved

Tess Egginton
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Footwear retailer’s job-creating warehouse expansion plans approved
City of York Council has approved plans for the expansion of footwear retailer Pavers’ warehouse in York, a move that will create hundreds of jobs in the region. Councillors voted to give the go ahead to plans to massively increase the facility at Northminster Business Park by 119,000 sq ft, a move that will create 130 new roles and generate an estimated £51m for the region’s economy. Members of the City of York Council’s planning committee voted resoundingly to approve the development, subject to conditions and referral to the secretary of state. York & North Yorkshire Chamber has been strongly in favour of the expansion and had lobbied for the application to be approved. Sarah Czarnecki, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The approval of this job creating, revenue generating expansion is fantastic news and just the sort of investment we want to see in York. “Pavers is a York success story, and it is wonderful to see them continuing their journey here in the city. “I congratulate both the management team of Pavers and City of York Council on this news. It is pleasing to see such a pro-business and pro-investment attitude being displayed and I look forward to similar sentiments going forward.” Recent growth has seen expansion of Pavers’ retail portfolio to over 180 stores and increases in online sales by over 700%. Storage requirements are expected to double.

British Land to sell 50% stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre

Tess Egginton
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British Land to sell 50% stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre
British Land has exchanged contracts to sell its 50% stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre to its partner Norges Bank Investment Management for £360m. The move is in line with British Land’s strategy to focus on retail parks and reduce exposure to covered shopping centres. As part of the transaction, British Land will remain as asset manager of Meadowhall shopping centre. The transaction is expected to complete in July 2024. Simon Carter, Chief Executive of British Land, said: “We have had a successful partnership with Norges over many years and are delighted to continue to work alongside them as asset managers of the centre. “Following the sale of Meadowhall, 93% of our portfolio is now in our preferred segments of retail parks, campuses and London urban logistics. “We will continue to grow our retail park portfolio; with low capex requirements parks offer attractive cash returns and at 99% occupancy we are delivering strong rental growth.”

Yorkshire property developer secures £4.7m to acquire shopping centre in Hull

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire property developer secures £4.7m to acquire shopping centre in Hull
A Yorkshire-based property entrepreneur has further boosted his growing portfolio across the north of England after securing a £4.7m funding solution to purchase and develop Prospect Shopping Centre in Hull. Zahid Iqbal has a proven track-record of acquiring and rapidly transforming shopping centres across the region and is hoping to emulate that success by utilising the facility provided by Reward Finance Group to purchase the 5.1 acre retail site in the heart of Hull city centre. Zahid, who runs Z&F Properties and also owns The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield, Packhorse Shopping Centre in Huddersfield and Batley Plaza, is now looking to reinvigorate the Prospect Shopping Centre, which houses major retailers such as Greggs and Specsavers and attracts circa six million shoppers each year. The deal is one of the highest single lends provided by alternative finance lender Reward. Zahid Iqbal, property entrepreneur and owner of Z&F Properties, said: “This latest acquisition of the Prospect Shopping Centre underlies our commitment to investing in Hull and transforming one of its most prominent shopping centres into the primary retail destination for people locally. “Despite huge competition from out-of-town retail parks, we firmly believe that shopping inside town and city centres across Yorkshire and the Humber is still in huge demand and the lifeblood of many local economies. “We turned to Reward as we needed a lender that has extensive property finance expertise and was able to provide a fast and flexible funding solution that helped make an acquisition of this size as seamless as possible. “We’ve established a clear vision for what we want to do with the centre and are looking forward to sharing our exciting future plans with new and existing retail tenants and the millions of visitors who shop here each year.” Dave Jones, Reward’s founding director, added: “Zahid is one of the most highly respected entrepreneurs and property developers in the region and has a phenomenal track record in acquiring and transforming a growing portfolio of shopping centres. “Being able to help finance a property transaction of this magnitude also demonstrates our experience in delivering solutions which are able to fund purchases outright, leverage a property asset to generate working capital or simply bridge a sale. “It can also be a very small world as I used to be Zahid’s bank manager over 30 years ago during my early career at Yorkshire Bank. I’ve stayed in touch ever since and having already assisted in his purchase of the Ridings at Wakefield am delighted that Reward is able to assist again in another major acquisition. “We’re proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to supporting Zahid in his vision to transform the wider regional town and city centre retail landscape.”

Doncaster bathroom retailer acquired by Victorian Plumbing

Tess Egginton
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Doncaster bathroom retailer acquired by Victorian Plumbing

Victorian Plumbing, the bathroom retailer, has acquired AHK Designs Ltd, trading as Victoria Plum, the online only bathroom retailer, headquartered in Doncaster.

The purchase price for the business, which has recently been through an administration and is already subject to a cost reduction programme, is £22.5m.

Victorian Plumbing intends to continue to trade the business as normal initially, pending finalisation of its integration plan.

Mark Radcliffe, CEO of Victorian Plumbing, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Victoria Plum, a well-established brand with a solid base of customers, suppliers and product ranges.

“The acquisition aligns with our ambitions to accelerate our growth. We are pleased to welcome the existing Victoria Plum team to our group and look forward to continuing to provide customers with a fantastic range of bathroom products and accessories.

“This acquisition represents another exciting strategic milestone for the company and, together with the investment in our new distribution centre, provides a unique opportunity to deliver increased shareholder return.”

Headquartered in Skelmersdale, Victorian Plumbing employs over 600 staff across nine locations in Lancashire, Manchester and Birmingham.
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