First Speculative Development in Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone Completes

The development was delivered by a Yorkshire team including the Shipley headquartered contractor Stainforth Construction, Leeds based KPP architects, Rex Proctor and Partners and engineers Jordan Prichard Gorman and Wetherby based service consultant, MRB. Langleys in York and Walker Morris in Leeds provided legal advice.

Speaking at the completion event earlier this month, Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments said: �Wilton Developments is proud to deliver the first speculative development in the Enterprise Zone with a Yorkshire based design and construction team. This ensures that the investment Wilton Developments and Leeds City Council has made stays within the region, boosting the economy and creating local jobs.�

Well positioned on the Leeds Aire Valley corridor, Connex 45 comprises two developments. A deal has already been completed with FedEx which will occupy the 50,000 sq ft B50 unit on a 10 year lease. The second manufacturing and logistics unit, A30, is available and has seen strong interest with a number of potential occupiers.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council�s executive member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning also spoke at the launch event. He said: �The Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone continues to go from strength to strength and it is great that local firms were contracted to carry out the development of Connex 45. Attracting a major international company like FedEx to occupy one of the units is very impressive and we look forward to the job opportunities and economic boost it will bring to the region.�

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) added: �It�s clear that confidence is returning to the City Region�s property market and this is evidenced by the growing number of speculative developments that are onsite at the moment. Wilton Developments were visionary in their plan and delivery of Connex 45 at the Enterprise Zone, and this vision has been rewarded by the letting to FedEx, which further bolsters the Zone�s strength within the logistics sector.�

Jason continues: �This high quality speculative development wouldn�t have been possible without the vision and support of Leeds City Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership as well as the guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

�Its unrivalled location, close to the A1(M), coupled with the quality of these buildings, has resulted in a high level of interest in the site and I�m confident we will soon announce the letting or sale of our second Connex 45 building.�

The Enterprise Zone comprises 142 hectares of prime employment land adjacent to the M1 motorway and is an ideal location for manufacturing and supply chain companies. Fully developed, it has the ability to foster more than 9,500 jobs. It is already home to well-established manufacturers such as packaging company, Roberts Mart, floor covering specialist, Mercardo and Symington�s food and FedEx is currently fitting out B50 for occupation in the coming months.