The Cabinet has decided to approve the redevelopment of Bradley Fold Trading Estate to maximize its potential as a modern industrial hub.

URL: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4233

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented a report setting out proposals for the redevelopment of Bradley Fold Trading Estate. Many parts of the estate are in a dilapidated condition and although this poses a risk to the Council, it also presents a regeneration opportunity. Investment in the estate will maximise the sites’ potential as a modern industrial hub but needed the right design and project management support to achieve. This report set out proposed action to mitigate the current risks and identify the potential for the site.   In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that legal consistency would be needed between Bradley Fold and Bury Market leases, but they were different sites and presented different challenges and opportunities so deals would not necessarily be the same. Conversations with all tenants would take place regarding future proposals and which parts of the site need intervention sooner to give tenants as much time as possible to move. With regards to insurance, it was noted that currently the Council was self-insuring, and this would be part of the conversations to be held imminently with tenants to work with them individually.   Decision:   Cabinet: 1.    Approved the first stages of the Bradley Fold redevelopment as set out in the report; 2.    Approved £1,417,000 being added to the capital programme, funded from prudential borrowing. A full breakdown is shown in part B. -       includes approval for the expenditure in relation to compensation costs associated with the service of S.25 notices on all units that do not have insurance cover -       includes approval for the expenditure of £400,000 associated with the upgrading and relocating the electricity substation and transformer. 3.    Noted that where appropriate and subject to relevant risk mitigation, tenants may be placed onto short term contracted out leases to allow continuation of business and income generation whilst Phase 1 is completed; 4.    Approved the tender of demolition contractor/s for demolition of units as they become vacant; and 5.    Approved the tender of a design team and project manager to progress ‘Phase 1’ to RIBA Stage 3 and update master plan for the whole estate. Note that subsequent will brought to Cabinet at the appropriate time.   Reasons for the decision: Redevelopment of the estate will maximise the sites’ potential by providing high quality industrial units which will drive inward investment, employment opportunities and maximise revenue potential for the Council. Termination of existing agreements will reduce & mitigate risk of holding buildings that are in a poor state of repair and do not have 3rd party insurance cover. If tenants are granted short term leases at the discretion of the Head of Land and Property, they will be on the basis that the tenant accepts the building is not insured or may not be rebuilt / repaired if cost of works exceeds the value of the premises or repair work is not viable. Where units are self-contained, and tenants can obtain their own insurance, longer term ‘Full Repairing and Insuring’ leases can be granted on the basis that they undertake agreed improvement works.   Alternative options considered and rejected: Do nothing and continue to lease units at nominal rents. Whilst this would maintain the existing income, due to the condition of the units and high cost of dealing with all compliance issues this is not economically or financially feasible in the long term. The site earmarked for Phase 1 has been cleared for over 10 years; by continuing to do nothing there is an opportunity lost to improve the estate and maximise income, jobs and business rates. If the Council do not replace and relocate the transformer it risks losing power to the estate.

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025