Brighouse retail development receives approval

Gregory Property Group has landed full planning approval to transform a former car showroom site in Brighouse into a new 33,500 sq. ft. retail scheme.

Along with funding secured for over £5m for the new development, the Leeds-based developer has agreed terms with two major retail operators to take units of 27,500 sq. ft. and 6,000 sq. ft.

Dews Motor Group sold the site on Bradford Road to Gregory Property Group after announcing plans to move operations into Halifax, where it can be based within a cluster area for vehicle retailing.

Craig Hamer, managing director at Dews Motor Group, said: “Brighouse holds much sentiment for the Dews family with great history and heritage but it has become necessary to relocate for better operating efficiency. We are pleased to hand over the site to a very reputable developer that plans to transform it into a more viable operation and help generate additional employment.”

Richard Tovey, director at Gregory Property Group, added: “The profile site is ideally suited to retail development due to its prominent location on Bradford Road and its long frontage. We are pleased to have agreed pre lets with strong performing businesses which will be revealed in the coming weeks.”

Set to begin work in October, the eight month build programme will see completion in the summer of 2016.