The design concept aim of the scheme was to create a commercially viable, high-quality business park which would bring significant economic benefit and employment opportunities to the Borough, as well as providing better connections through the site for pedestrians and cyclists.

We developed the masterplan, to secure outline planning permission, and delivery of an Outline Business Case (West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Assurance Process Activity 3) valued at circa £200k to obtain the funding to support the next stages of the scheme’s delivery which has a total value of £33m.

Prior to the plans being submitted, a series of public consultation exercises were held. Positive feedback was received from local and regional business who expressed an interest in moving to the site if the plans were approved.

Our economics experts wrote the socio-economic chapter as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment for proposals to develop around 46,000 sq. m. of employment floorspace on Clifton Business Park in Calderdale. The analysis included a baseline review of the local economy, in additional to estimating the long-term benefits (and the significance of them for EIA purposes) in terms of job creation and contribution to economic output. The team also produced a sperate health impact assessment for the proposed scheme, which was required by Calderdale Council as part of the planning application.

Offices, light industrial, general industrial and storage and distribution uses are included in the proposed development for the 63-acre site on land off Coal Pit Lane, Clifton, Brighouse, just west of J25 of the M62.

Clifton Business Park is a major regeneration initiative that aims to deliver economic diversity and growth and create a wide range of new jobs locally and regionally.

We are delighted that the outline plans for Clifton Business Park have been approved, with the scheme set to contribute to the continued growth and success of the existing employment uses to the north of A644 (Wakefield Road) in Brighouse, as well as the further growth and expansion of the regional economy across the Leeds City Region.

The design concept aim of the scheme was to create a commercially viable, high-quality business park which would bring significant economic benefit and employment opportunities to the Borough, as well as providing better connections through the site for pedestrians and cyclists.

In achieving the required design concept, engineering driven solutions were required to support the masterplanning process. This is due to the challenging topography of the site, consisting of a 50m level difference running from the northern to the southern boundary. Through understanding these site constraints, it enabled the team to deliver a buildable solution at this early stage in the scheme, thereby delivering a robust masterplan.

The site had previously been allocated for employment uses by the Council and is located within the M62 corridor Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone. Being in close proximity to the M62, consultation was carried out with Highways England (HE) to understand the impact of the proposed development on their network. Through this analysis, a cost-efficient mitigation scheme was proposed by SCP, which was agreed by HE, thereby removing any objections to the scheme by HE.

The scheme will bring about improvements to the biodiversity of the site, with new dedicated spaces for wildlife habitat enhancements linked to new landscape planting. Such measures, along with high standards of design for the buildings themselves will assist in providing a sustainable pattern of development.

Access to the business park will be off the A644 Wakefield Road and Clifton Common Road (A643), with a third access point on Coal Pit Lane provided for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles only.