Harworth Group to construct new McLaren factory at Rotherham's AMP

Harworth Group plc, the brownfield regeneration and property investment specialist, has signed a conditional 20-year lease with McLaren Automotive Limited on a new 75,000 sq ft bespoke unit at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The unit will be designed and built by Harworth, with construction due to commence on site in August 2017.

McLaren is expected to take occupation of the new unit in summer 2018, following practical completion.

The new purpose-built unit will act as McLaren’s new ‘Composites Technology Centre’, developing and building carbon-fibre tubes around which its vehicles are built.

The move to the AMP follows McLaren’s announcement in February that 200 new jobs will be created at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District as part of its research partnership with the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre which is already based at the AMP.

In a separate transaction, Harworth signed a 15-year lease with an unnamed advanced manufacturer for a new 11,044 sq ft unit at the AMP. The unit was speculatively constructed and the lease was completed within eight weeks of practical completion.

Harworth also announced the sale of 8.17 acres to Taylor Wimpey to build a further 130 homes on its Waverley development. This is Taylor Wimpey’s third purchase of land at Waverley, following previous land purchases in 2013 and 2015 for a total of 192 plots.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive officer of Harworth Group, said: “This announcement continues to demonstrate the fundamental strength of our regional residential and commercial markets. We are delighted to welcome McLaren to the AMP and to be able to support them in their ongoing growth.

“The two announced lease agreements serve as further examples of how we are improving the quality of our income base as we continue to deliver NAV growth across the portfolio.

“We are maintaining development momentum at the AMP and demand for new units remains high, with the McLaren deal demonstrating how the Harworth offering has evolved to incorporate the design and build of specialist purpose built units on behalf of blue-chip occupiers.

“The sale of residential plots to Taylor Wimpey marks our ninth sale of engineered housing land on Waverley.

“This will add to the 650 homes that have already built and occupied on the site since 2012, reflecting good demand for our engineered brownfield land from housebuilders.”

Planning consultants Barton Willmore secured planning approval from Rotherham Borough Council for Harworth to deliver the 75,000 sq ft factory for McLaren.

Claire Kent, planning director at Barton Willmore, added: “This development will further strengthen the Advanced Manufacturing Park’s already world class reputation, and bring more jobs and investment to the area.

“What could be better than securing a top international manufacturing name for this Enterprise Zone.

“With the plans now approved, South Yorkshire marks an important milestone in its economic regeneration.”