NPL Estates & Hillhouse Business Park
28.03.2006
Hillhouse Business Park has been reborn as a thriving business location, thanks to the commitment and substantial inward investment of NPL Estates.
Having acquired the site in phases and completed its purchase of the entire former ICI works in April 2003, the vacuum left behind by the decline of the historical businesses operated on the site left a legacy of vast areas of dereliction and a feeling of neglect among the local community.
With the exception of those who worked on the site, few appreciated that there was some 800 acres of brownfield land on their doorstep, capable of generating employment and new opportunities.
A solution to the key problems of infrastructure, site services, contamination and managed sustainable use of the site were essential if this vast area was to be brought back into productive use.
NPL’s work, through Thornton Facilities Management and local employees, has enabled it to provide innovative solutions to these problems.
The first task was to grasp how the site operated, how existing businesses could be retained and how they and new opportunities could be attracted.
At 800 acres, this brownfield development site is probably one of the largest of its kind in the north-west of England, and there are now some 40 diverse businesses located there.
Over the past three years, employment has increased to over 1000, covering a wide spectrum of differing skills from maintenance, construction, engineering and professional people. NPL Estates has not only protected existing jobs for highly experienced employees, it has continued to introduce fresh employment to the area through new or expanding business.
Capital investment on the park is running in excess of £130 million, with investment in new builds, extensions to existing plants and upgrading site infrastructure. A comprehensive investment by NPL has changed the outlook of the park, including demolition and removal of redundant and unsightly overhead service pipe infrastructure, investment in environmental controls on the site and upgrades to primary service infrastructure including sewage, effluent and water supply systems.
The site is managed by Thornton Facilities Management (TFM) - a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPL. It manages and maintains a wide range of site services, from round-the-clock security, emergency response with its own in-house ambulance and fire tender, electricity supply, potable and process water supply, effluent treatment and disposal and grounds maintenance. TFM retains a highly skilled workforce from the local community and relies on local services and contractors to provide a full support service to clients on and off the site.
NPL has invested further in a high technology laboratory analysis business on site, which complements its work on land remediation, providing clean serviced sites for new employers wishing to relocate to the park. NPL Analytical - which also has recruited from the local community’s skilled workforce - provides a valuable service to clients on the park, from final product testing to health and safety analysis and effluent testing.
The operations and use of the site is strictly controlled by Wyre Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive, each of whom ensure that all businesses work within Government guidelines and these disciplines are monitored and managed by Thornton Facilities Management.
NPL Estates, along with TFM, is committed to working in partnership with the local authority, local community and local businesses to enhance the local economy. NPL holds public exhibitions. Its active community steering group aims to provide an innovative and balanced mixed-use development, offering long-term sustainable employment within a quality community environment. This includes new residential opportunities and recreational facilities that will revitalise one of the most established neighbourhoods in Wyre. The vision can only be achieved through stable growth and partnership, and NPL thanks the local community for its continuing support.
-Ends-
For further information please contact
Scott Carswell, General Manager, Thornton Facilities Management Tel 01253 864633 or
Isabel Barnes, Operations Director, NPL Estates, Tel 0141 242 7900 or visit our website www.nplestates.com.
Return To News Page