Strategic Sites and UK COAL Join Forces in New Joint Venture

UK Strategic Partnership’s first development will be at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Waverley, South Yorkshire.  The development, due to start on site in January, will provide 94,000 sq ft (8,732 sq m) of industrial space within the AMP, offering 15 units for high-tech manufacturing accommodation.

The first units at the scheme, which will have an end value of over £10 million, will be available in August 2008. When fully let, the park will house in excess of 200 jobs.

Anuj Joshi, managing director of Strategic Sites, comments: “We are proud, not only to be associated with the AMP, one of the most significant regeneration schemes in Yorkshire, but also of our joint venture with UK COAL.

“This scheme is a great prospect for high-tech firms and we have already had some well-advanced discussions with interested parties. I hope that, as a result of the success of this scheme, this will be the first of many developments for the joint venture.”

Tim Love, development director of UK COAL, adds: “The AMP is a key site in UK COAL’s development portfolio and has already attracted major players in high-tech industries associated with aerospace and metals.

“We believe our joint venture will not only complement what already exists, but will increase business diversity by providing a range of buildings which are immediately available for new or expanding companies to occupy and grow their business.”

Nick Smillie, senior business development manager of the AMP project team, says: “We welcome the announcement of this latest development by UK Strategic Partnership. The proposed units will greatly expand the range of property options that are on offer at the AMP, allowing appropriate solutions to be available to all sizes of prospective occupiers.

“The development is a significant step in the progress of the AMP project and will consequently attract more high-quality advanced manufacturing firms to locate here.”

Strategic Sites is a joint venture between Helios Properties, Kilmartin Property Group and JC Musgrave. The company is headed by Paul Barber, a former director of English Partnerships, who spearheads a team with extensive experience of delivering large-scale development projects. With around £50m of resources to invest over the next three years, the company is focused on developing sites in regeneration areas throughout the UK.

Lambert Smith Hampton has been retained as letting agent on the development.

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For further information, please contact:

Anuj Joshi, Strategic Sites                              Tel: 01937 584 444

Simon Stretch, Porterfield PR                         Tel: 020 7647 4420

Notes to Editors

The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) is a world-class manufacturing technology park providing advanced manufacturing technology solutions to ensure repetitive advantage for industry. The AMP is a joint venture between Yorkshire Forward and UK Coal. Monies from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund have also supported the project.