Sheffield Business Park (SBP), one of the largest business parks in Yorkshire measuring at over 200 acres (81 ha) is set for further expansion after a planning application for ‘Phase 4’ was submitted to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in December.

Already home to the UK’s first state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, The University of Sheffield’s “Factory 2050”, the latest proposed project will transform the 18 Acres (7.3 ha) of land between Europa Link and the A630 dual carriageway in Rotherham – creating a prominent business gateway to the wider Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID).

Ideally situated between the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Campus at Sheffield Business Park and in close proximity to the internationally renowned Advanced Manufacturing Park, the new development will complement the region’s Advanced Manufacturing specialism. SBP is already occupied by a diverse range of other businesses including the University of Sheffield’s “Factory 2050”, Boeing, ITM Power, Fulcrum, SIG and The Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Phase 4 will provide opportunities for OEM and supply chain partners to relocate to SBP in order to co-locate close to the world-leading manufacturing expertise and improve the efficiencies of any collaborations.

The Phase 4 Masterplan is to encompass building footprints ranging from 10,764 sq. ft (1000m2) to 107,649 sq. ft (10,000m2) of B1b (research and development), B1c (industrial process), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) facilities and – pending planning approval – construction is expected to start soon after the planning consent is granted.

It’s projected that the development will bring around 1,000 more jobs to the park, adding to the 2000 individuals already employed at facilities across the development and potential for even more on the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Campus.

Lewis Evans from Leeds-based planning consultants, Turley, which was appointed by SBP to lead the planning application process commented: “Having worked closely with Sheffield Business Park, the local planning authority and the lead project team (comprising Bond Bryan Architects, WSP and JPG), we have ensured the preparation of a comprehensive planning application that sets out the intentions of Sheffield Business Park for the new facilities.”

Graham Sadler, Managing Director at SBP added: “Geographically located at the centre of the UK, Sheffield City Region has been at the heart of manufacturing and engineering innovation since the Industrial Revolution and is now renowned for its lead on Advanced Manufacturing, Research and Development attracting OEM manufacturers such as Boeing, Rolls Royce and McLaren to the area.

“Phase 4 of Sheffield Business Park is at the nucleus of AMID and  provides great opportunity to create a natural gateway between Rotherham and Sheffield as well as driving forward the vision of supporting the prosperity of the region’s economy and positioning South Yorkshire as leading the way in Advanced Manufacturing.”