Land sale sees APTUS development move forward

Developers Barnfield Group and HBD have completed the land sale for a 10-acre site at APTUS, Preston - paving the way for development to begin on the first unit of the 800,000sq ft scheme.

The Kerakoll Group has acquired the first plot at the strategic employment scheme where it will develop a 145,000sq ft manufacturing and distribution facility.

The expansion will enable its UK subsidiary, to grow beyond its current Leyland base and supply the group's Nordic operations from Preston.

The group is a multinational company which had a turnover of €774m in 2023. Working in the construction industry, it offers an integrated range of products and services for building better places to live.

Ed Hutchinson, managing director at HBD, part of Henry Boot, said: “With the land sale now complete, work will begin on site to deliver the infrastructure for our first occupier Kerakoll, a hugely successful, growing business and a great anchor for the scheme.

“APTUS is very well located, which, coupled with the continued shortage of industrial and logistics space across the region, is driving strong interest from potential occupiers.”

Tracy Clavell-Bate, head of development and acquisition at Barnfield Group, added: “Barnfield Construction will be building the unit on behalf of Kerakoll UK and we look forward to getting started and working with them to provide high-quality, sustainable space to facilitate their growth plans.”

Carl Gardner, managing director of Kerakoll UK, said: “We are delighted to have finalised the acquisition of this strategic site in partnership with HBD and Barnfield Group.

“This development is a crucial component of our growth strategy and will significantly enhance our presence in the UK and northern Europe. We look forward to collaborating with HBD and Barnfield as construction begins".

HBD and Barnfield Group have secured planning permission for a total of 800,000sq ft of industrial and logistics space at APTUS.

Close to junction 31A of the M6, it could create as many as 1,500 new jobs a huge boost for the Lancashire economy. Units are available from 25,000sq ft through to 500,000sq ft.

HBD, part of Henry Boot, is one of the UK’s most well-established property developers.

Barnfield Group are contractors, developers and investors working with public and private sector partners and clients for more than 40 years.

Headquartered in Lancashire, the £80m turnover property group is delivering a diverse range of schemes on more than 30 live sites nationwide.

The agents for APTUS are Gerald Eve, Young & Co and Eckersley Property.