Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive of Legal & General Group, has visited Thorpe Park Leeds to commemorate the result of over £45 million of critical infrastructure investment completed on the strategic site.
Nigel was hosted by Thorpe Park Leeds developer and joint venture partner Scarborough International Properties alongside the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Eileen Taylor and other local councillors that have been instrumental in the 100-acre project.
Legal & General has funded enabling works for phase two development at Thorpe Park Leeds including the £10 million Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR) that has critically unlocked land for the planned East Leeds Orbital Road (ELOR) and future delivery of around 7000 new homes with amenities in East Leeds.
The investment has also delivered a £6.5 million railway bridge and public footpaths as well as £10.5 million enabling works across Thorpe Park Leeds for commercial development. Further roadworks to facilitate the new Springs retail and leisure park, gas mains and power cable diversions, new power supply and archaeological/ecological clearing were also incorporated in the highly complex project.
Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive at Legal & General Group, said, “Cities need the right physical and digital infrastructure in order to thrive and be productive. This work is testament to our commitment and joined up approach to enhancing our future cities and improving people’s lives for the better over the long-term. It is thanks to our partners Scarborough International Properties and Leeds City Council that this major infrastructure milestone has been reached – these plans were locally generated and they have worked!”
Kevin McCabe, Chairman of Scarborough International Properties, said “This event marks a significant milestone and a very proud moment for the Scarborough team, Legal & General, the Council and all of our delivery partners that have worked tirelessly over the last four years to deliver the project.
“Not without its challenges, this programme of works has been completed under restrictive conditions and tight timescales, with little room for error, by a highly skilled and dedicated team. Over the term we have endeavoured to employ a local workforce whenever possible and delivered some fantastic and very tangible skills training and schools educational initiatives along the way.
“We cannot underestimate the legacy we will leave as these vital infrastructure works not only support further development at Thorpe Park Leeds but also contribute £250 million per annum to the city region economy, creating around 10,000 new jobs.”
Local Councillor Peter Gruen said, “Seeing this new road and the associated infrastructure in place is immensely satisfying. There has been brilliant collaboration between many different organisations and partners to make this happen. The community benefits will be enormous for a long time to come.”
Thorpe Park Leeds is already an established business location with 800,000 sq ft of commercial operation and over 4,500 workers on site. A unique £162 million investment deal with Legal & General in 2015 secured a transformational 1.35 million sq ft mixed-use expansion, bringing forward Phase two which includes The Springs retail and leisure park, 900,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, 300 new residential homes and a 113-acre public park.
The award-winning development has dedicated access to Junction 46 of the M1 and has been chosen for the new railway station, ‘East Leeds Parkway’ and associated Park and Ride, connecting Thorpe Park Leeds directly to Leeds city centre in eight minutes. This forms part of a £270 million infrastructure investment into Leeds by the Department of Transport.