Whitebirk 65 site bought by investor

Investment and asset management company Praxis plans to develop one million sq ft of mixed-use land on the edge of Blackburn after acquiring the 95-acre Whitebirk 65 site.

The Manchester-based group paid £3.6m for the land from a private family trust.

The site has existing consent for a mixed-use development of 872,000 sq ft, however, Praxis confirmed it will reconfigure the original plans and submit a planning application seeking permission for 1m sq ft of industrial, retail and residential uses, with it being re-branded to 'PARK 65'.

Simon Dixon, development manager at Praxis, said: “We are excited to have acquired the site and look forward to working closely with Hyndburn Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council in order to deliver this important regeneration project.”

Other Praxis development sites include the Airfields scheme in Deeside, which has planning consent for 2m sq ft of industrial space and 725 residential units, and the 140-acre Aldermaston Park estate in Berkshire, acquired in January this year.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, executive member for regeneration, said: “We welcome news of these plans, which could create many much needed jobs especially industrial ones in the borough. We always welcome plans for investment which leads to new jobs. I look forward to seeing the plans and the progress of the development.”

Praxis was unrepresented in the deal while the vendor was represented by Matthew & Goodman.