< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Elland Road neighbourhood visualisationwww.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY R egeneration projects are progressing across Yorkshire, bringing new life to the region’s towns and cities, with the last month seeing a number of milestones. In Leeds, a consultation has been launched by the city council on refreshed planning guidance for the regeneration of land surrounding the Elland Road football stadium, which could deliver a multi-billion-pound boost to the city’s economy. The council is consulting on the ‘Elland Road 2025 Informal Planning Statement’, which will guide the future regeneration of around 30 acres of land. If the refreshed guidance is agreed, the land could be transformed to provide as many as 2,000 new homes alongside public realm and facilities integrated with the surrounding communities. The document outlines other uses that could be acceptable including major new leisure opportunities such as a community sports arena, hotel accommodation, and workspaces. There is also the potential for educational facilities linked to sport, health and wellbeing. The proposals further outline the relocation of the temporary park and ride currently at the site and how one or more multi-storey car parks could be permitted. The land has been allocated for development for a number of years, with previous guidance adopted in 2007. The refreshed vision reflects changes and developments in the local area, including Leeds United’s proposed stadium expansion, and also across the economy. Deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, councillor Jonathan Pryor, said: “Our proposals for Elland Road represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity of national significance to create a new neighbourhood, carefully integrated within South Leeds, which will deliver new homes, create jobs and provide major leisure opportunities, along with community and educational facilities that will benefit new and existing communities.” Development of the site would take up to 20 years from start on-site to completion. Remaining in Leeds, CEG’s flagship £600+ million Kirkstall Forge development is taking steps forward as the business enters into an exclusivity agreement with its first Joint Venture delivery partner. Banks Homes is set to partner with CEG and Across Yorkshire, regeneration projects are progressing to breathe new life into towns and cities, from consultation launches to completions. 12 Á12 Business Link www.blmforum.net prepare a Reserved Matters planning submission for a range of family homes that will be created within the eastern element of the site. As Banks rolls out the first phase of family homes, CEG will continue to act as master developer for the site, coordinating the delivery of infrastructure, further apartments, community facilities and commercial space as part of a mixed-use development. CEG, on behalf of investors, has already delivered a £100m work programme to bring this brownfield site back to life, including acquisition, clearance, remediation, archaeology, design, planning, utilities, roads, river walls and infrastructure, the opening of a dedicated railway station and the Number One office development with Butlers deli bar on the ground floor. Kirkstall Forge has planning permission for a new community incorporating homes, offices, retail, leisure and community space across the 56-acre site. Meanwhile, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) has received planning approval from Leeds City Council for a landmark student accommodation scheme at the Merrion Centre. The proposals will see the transformation of Wade House, a 13-storey vacant 1960s office building, into purpose-built student accommodation. In addition, the scheme involves a 37-storey new build tower on the adjacent ‘100MC’ site. Aerial image of the Kirkstall Forge site Together, the buildings will offer 1,039 student bedrooms in a mix of studio and cluster apartments, complemented by amenities such as residents’ lounges, co-working and meeting spaces, a cinema, gym, karaoke room, external terraces, and secure cycle spaces. This project marks the first time in its 61-year history that the Merrion Centre will incorporate residential use, as TCS looks to diversify and future-proof the estate. Craig Burrow, group property director for TCS, said: “We are delighted that resolution to grant planning approval has now been received for our proposed scheme at the Merrion Centre, marking a significant milestone in the continued evolution of this iconic www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY funding to progress the regeneration project. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board signed off £11.35m to design the new mainline station and Tram Train stop, and to ensure the project can progress at pace. Design work for the project will be included in a business case to release further government funding, with an ambition to open the station and Tram Train stop by late 2030. The proposed station, earmarked for Forge Way, Parkgate, would act as a regional transport hub linking local, regional, and national rail services to position Rotherham as a strategic economic corridor between Sheffield and Leeds. A Masterplan outlines a phased 20-year programme of transformation, featuring more than 355,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing and commercial space, around 250 new homes, and up to 132,000 sq ft of green spaces and public realm. Rotherham Council has already secured £10m to progress vital land acquisition and planning for the station area. The council will also commit £2m through its Strategic Acquisitions Fund to secure key properties necessary to deliver the wider Masterplan, with Cabinet set to decide if negotiations can commence. Finally, in Halifax, a once-vacant multi- storey car park has been transformed into a community of 122 sustainable rental homes. Bolt Works, a development of energy-efficient, one and two-bedroom apartments, is Halifax’s first dedicated build-to-rent community. The development is inspired by Halifax’s rich industrial heritage, blending striking architecture with modern sustainable technologies, such as solar panels, heat pumps, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems to help lower bills and reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The development complements Calderdale Council’s wider town centre regeneration strategy. The homes at Cow Green have been built on the site of a car park that was demolished in 2016 after being deemed unsafe. Caddick Construction acted as the main contractor for the scheme, delivering the project in close collaboration with Placefirst and a team of expert consultants, including JM architects, Walker Sime, Roscoe, Hydrock, Stantec, TACE, and DEP Landscape Architecture. Phil Jones, director of development at Placefirst, said: “This project shows the huge potential in reimagining underused town centre spaces into neighbourhoods full of life, with great homes and spaces people are proud to call home. It’s been fantastic to work alongside Calderdale Council to make this vision a reality, and we’re excited to see the first residents bringing the place to life.” Town Centre Securities PLC has received planning approval for a landmark student accommodation scheme at Leeds’ Merrion Centre city centre destination. It has been over three years since our initial pre- application discussions began, and we have worked closely with Leeds City Council and key stakeholders throughout to carefully refine the design and ensure the scheme is both sensitive and sustainable. We are proud to be repurposing Wade House in a way that respects its heritage, while unlocking the opportunity to provide high-quality, purpose-built student accommodation that will support Leeds’ growing population.” Elsewhere, plans for the multimillion- pound Rotherham Gateway Station have taken a step forward as South Yorkshire’s mayor and local council leaders backed 14 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT From cleaners to IT engineers, silent service providers work behind the scenes to keep workplaces safe, connected, and productive. Their role has never been more critical in supporting business performance and employee confidence. B usiness resilience depends on many factors visible to stakeholders: strong leadership, cash flow management, strategic planning, and an adaptive workforce. Less visible but equally vital are the silent services that keep workplaces operational. 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In regions with thriving industries like manufacturing, engineering, and renewable energy, apprenticeships are providing Building a workforce for tomorrow Building a workforce for tomorrow Apprenticeships are becoming an essential solution to the skills gap, with businesses and educational institutions collaborating to provide young people with valuable opportunities in growing sectors like renewable energy and engineering. These programmes are shaping the future workforce, offering hands-on learning and career progression. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING businesses with the skilled talent they need to remain competitive. The government has made significant efforts to promote apprenticeships, particularly through schemes designed to make vocational education more attractive. The Apprenticeship Levy, introduced in 2017, requires companies with a payroll above £3 million to contribute 0.5% of their annual wage bill towards apprenticeship training. While this policy has sparked debate, it has undoubtedly driven companies to invest more heavily in apprenticeship programmes, creating a pipeline of skilled talent for industries that need it most. A recent poll revealed that 48% of the public believe apprenticeships should be prioritised over other education funding areas, demonstrating the growing public support for this route. However, despite the demand, the survey also highlighted a challenge: the perception that apprenticeships are hard to secure, with regions like Yorkshire reporting the most difficulty in accessing these opportunities. In addition to the Levy, financial incentives for employers and young people further fuel the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. These initiatives are not just helping to address skills shortages but are also positioning apprenticeships as a strong, sustainable alternative to traditional higher education. A key point raised by the poll was the generational shift in preference, 20 ÁNext >