Plans approved for 800,000 sq ft Preston industrial scheme

Planning permission has been granted for APTUS, an 800,000 sq ft strategic employment site in Preston, which could lead to the creation of 1,500 new jobs.

The site, close to J31A of the M6 and Preston City Centre, will be developed by HBD and Barnfield Group.

It will feature 12 industrial and logistics units from 25,0000 to 500,000 sq ft of high-specification, sustainable space with Net Zero Carbon capabilities.

Adjacent to the existing Roman Way Industrial Estate, APTUS is a designated employment site within Preston City Council’s Local Plan. HBD and Barnfield have been working closely with Preston City Council since 2020 when pre-application discussions began.

A range of technical experts and specialist consultants provided assessments covering flood risk, drainage, ecology, arboriculture, highways, acoustics, geology and geo-environmental considerations.  

APTUS is the joint venture partners’ second project in Preston following the successful circa £30m sale of EAST to Titan Investors in December 2022.

Vivienne Clements, head of industrial and logistics at HBD, said: "It’s fantastic to have secured the go-ahead for APTUS – it will not only deliver high-specification space to support businesses’ growth plans but is a major investment into the area with more than a thousand new jobs.

"We are already in detailed negotiations with a major local employer and conversations are underway with several other interested businesses."

Work will start on site in Spring 2024.