Major infrastructure project will help Winsford Industrial Estate thrive and create jobs

Cheshire West and Chester Council and Public Sector Plc’s “Build & Thrive” partnership has appointed civil engineering contractor A E Yates Ltd to deliver the £5m first phase package of infrastructure work to continue the expansion of the town’s successful industrial estate.

The works will include building new roads and landscaping at the estate.

The improvements will open up the site for further development and lead to the onward creation of 67 acres of new employment land, new industrial and commercial buildings. The first phase of works will unlock land equivalent to the size of 50 football pitches to the north of the current estate and is expected to create around 600 full time equivalent jobs in the area.

A E Yates will be able to protect, manage and operate a live site and maintain social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak through adhering to government advice and guidelines.

The project is part of a five-year vision for Winsford Industrial Estate, which will create up to 1,260 jobs and deliver just over 460,000 sq ft of new commercial space on land next to the existing site.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth, said: “The development of Winsford Industrial Estate remains a top priority for the council and we are continuing to invest in the site to enable the local community to benefit from its growth and expansion. This latest phase is the continuation of a really exciting four-year partnership project to develop the site, which will secure employment in the town and help to give confidence about the future at a time when Covid-19 has created some uncertainty for local people and businesses.”

Kate Howe, Development Manager at Public Sector Plc, said: “Moving forward with the development of Winsford Industrial Estate is a real testament to the council’s belief in the people and businesses of Winsford and Cheshire West.

“By unlocking new employment land in key strategic locations, we can help local authorities like Cheshire West & Chester to maximise the value and benefit of their land and property holdings.

“The agility and flexibility of our Build & Thrive partnership with the Council allows us to respond to the specific needs of a community and to deliver projects that truly support and promote local people and places. As a partner of local authorities, we passionately believe land and property can be used to help local communities and economies bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus.”

Tim Nield, construction director of A E Yates Ltd, the scheme contractor, said: “We are very pleased to be working for the community of Cheshire West and Chester on this very important scheme, to further enhance the economic potential of the region. During the construction period, we will do our very best to minimise disruption to the local area.”

Public Sector Plc and the Council have been working on development of the industrial estate since 2017 and two years ago secured a deal which led to expansion of the estate and the delivery of a new £22m state-of-the-art, energy efficient factory for Tiger Trailers.

Winsford Industrial Estate has grown rapidly over the years and is now home to more than 100 businesses and around 4,000 workers.

The £5m first phase of infrastructure works are being supported by £3.8m of grant funding from Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and a further £1.2m of funding from the Council.

Chair of the LEP, Clare Hayward MBE DL, said: “As our economy starts to re-open we need to be focused on recovery.  Building a stronger economy than before and investing in development that will create jobs.  Winsford Industrial Estate is a strategically important employment location so the LEP welcomes the safe start of these works.” 

Public Sector Plc has 16 Partnerships with borough, city and district councils stretching from Gateshead to the Isle of Wight.