Ambitious proposals which would see 1,125 jobs created through the construction of five new industrial units are about to receive a warm welcome from Sefton Council.
Royal London is eager to build the new development on the site of the former Rolls Royce factory at Atlantic Park, on Dunnings Bridge Road in Netherton.
The completion of the remainder of Atlantic Park would collectively deliver 73,54 sq m of employment floorspace and around 1,125 jobs delivering “significant economic and social benefit for Sefton”.
It has taken 20 years for the site to be developed, with plans hampered by the economic crash in 2008 and then by the Covid-19 pandemic.
But owners now believe that the time is right to go ahead, due to “promising market indicators and a clear national demand for employment floorspace in logistics and advanced manufacturing”.
Royal London wants to build five industrial units on the site of the former Rolls Royce factory at Atlantic Park, on Dunnings Bridge Road in Netherton. Image by The Harris Partnership for the Royal London planning application to Sefton Council
The proposals will be decided at Sefton Council’s Planning Committee meeting at Bootle Town hall next Tuesday (28th November 2023). Council planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.
A Planning Statement prepared by Turley on behalf of Royal London said: “Royal London acquired the leasehold of the Atlantic Park site in 2003 with a view of bringing forward development at this important Strategic Employment Location, however the global recession hindered progress on site following the granting of a long-term outline permission for an extensive employment led redevelopment of the park in 2006.
“Royal London is now seeking to bring forward new proposals for Atlantic Park given promising market indicators and a clear national demand for employment floorspace in logistics and advanced manufacturing.
Royal London wants to build five industrial units on the site of the former Rolls Royce factory at Atlantic Park, on Dunnings Bridge Road in Netherton. Image by The Harris Partnership for the Royal London planning application to Sefton Council
“The proposed development principally comprises the erection of five industrial warehouses with flexible uses proposed, alongside associated access roads, parking, service yards and landscaping.
“Another aspect of the Proposed Development is to break up and remove the foundation slab which served the former Rolls Royce Factory on site.
“The proposed development constitutes Phase 2 of two phases at Atlantic Park, which cumulatively will deliver 73,545sqm of employment floorspace and around 1,125 jobs post-completion.
“Flexible planning permission is sought so as to cater to market trends and optimise the site’s potential given its strategic positioning along the Dunningsbridge Road Corridor and the Strategic Road Network leading to the Port of Liverpool.
Royal London wants to build five industrial units on the site of the former Rolls Royce factory at Atlantic Park, on Dunnings Bridge Road in Netherton. Image by The Harris Partnership for the Royal London planning application to Sefton Council
“The five units would vary in size with the largest comprising 19,510qm sqm of Gross Internal Floor Area, including ancillary office space.
“The units are to be of a bold and high-quality, and designed sensitively so as to not have a dominating or adverse impact on nearby residents, with green infrastructure integrated throughout the site acting as a visual buffer to neighbouring land users and the surrounding public realm.
“The proposed development would, in addition to Phase 1, bring forward the entirety of the Strategic Employment Location which has laid mainly vacant for a number of years making a significant contribution of approximately £48.9m in GVA to Sefton and the City Region’s economy in turn.
“The site encompasses the majority of Atlantic Park, a Strategic Employment Location within the Netherton area of Sefton, approximately 3.2 km (2 miles) east of the Port of Liverpool.
Royal London wants to build five industrial units on the site of the former Rolls Royce factory at Atlantic Park, on Dunnings Bridge Road in Netherton. Image by The Harris Partnership for the Royal London planning application to Sefton Council
“The development site itself comprises 15.98 ha of land at Atlantic Park including the footprint of the former Rolls Royce factory building (Big Foot), and a number of associated structures and areas of hardstanding.
“Atlantic Park was acquired by Royal London in 2003 with a view to bringing forward a large-scale business park
“The comprehensive development of Atlantic Park has unfortunately been stalled firstly due to the 2008 financial crash, whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a further shift in the market for employment land, in particular lack of demand for traditionally office-dominated business parks.
“There is currently unparalleled demand for new high-quality Class B8 logistics floorspace within the North West in addition to B2 floorspace, particularly for the benefit of advanced manufacturing.
“Royal London has carried out extensive market research to understand need and demand at Atlantic Park and the wider area which has strong links to the supply chain associated with the continuing growth of the Port of Liverpool.
“It is on this basis that Royal London’s current proposals for Atlantic Park have evolved to meet market demand and maximise both economic output and job growth.
“The proposed development would complete the remainder of Atlantic Park and collectively deliver 73,54sqm of employment floorspace and around 1,125 jobs delivering significant economic and social benefit for Sefton.”
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