Firem plots 1.6m sq ft Chorley industrial
Having won approval for 405,000 sq ft at Botany Bay earlier this year, the developer is progressing plans for another large logistics development in the borough, this time on Green Belt land off Junction 3 of the M65.
FI Real Estate Management has lodged an EIA Scoping Request with Chorley Council, which outlines plans to create 1.6m sq ft of industrial space on a 98-acre acre swathe of agricultural land close to the border with Blackburn with Darwen.
Documents lodged with the council outline Firem’s intention to submit a hybrid planning application for the project.
The first phase of the scheme would see the site prepared for the building work.
The second phase would see the delivery of the units. An indicative masterplan of the site drawn up by DMWR Architects shows plans for three large units and several smaller units to the west of the site close to Junction 3.
Waddell Armstrong is also advising Firem on its proposals.
Tim Knowles, founder and managing director of Firem, added: “Our proposed new logistics development forms part of our wider investment in Chorley, all of which is intended to serve market demand for a variety of space for both domestic and global commerce.
“Our commitment is to ensuring that the proposed new development in Chorley becomes part of a cohesive strategy to grow the borough’s employment potential, and we will work closely with all local stakeholders to ensure our proposed logistics hub complements neighbouring developments.”
He added: “We employ more than 300 people at our Chorley headquarters and for us, creating new developments within Chorley is about elevating our home borough to create more space for local businesses, to attract new employers to the area and create more jobs for local people.”
Just what the Green Belt needs – more sheds. Will the employees be expected to commute by canal boat?
By Swampy
I don’t believe loosing more green belt is environmentally the way forward. Plant more trees, not concrete and steel. I for one hate the thought of the potential long term affects on the environment of loosing the green belt.
Up cycle brown site’s?
By David Wardale
As a resident of Feniscowles I can categorically say we do NOT want this blot on the landscape at extremely close quarters of our area! We’ve already lost greenbelt thanks to new housing developments. If Chorley Council want a new logistics park buildone near your town! Why do you need to destroy more greenbelt and the habitat of local wildlife not to mention putting more pressure on the local infrastructure, which is always congested anyway without this ugly concrete and metal eyesore with its extra traffic. No thankyou!!!
By Victoria Clare