Shipley contractor Stainforth Construction appointed to build Inspire Bradford Business Park

Inspire Bradford Business Park (www.inspirebradford.com), which will include Europe’s largest straw bale constructed buildings, will be built on a brownfield site close to Eccleshill Community Hospital in the east of the city and comprise two buildings totalling 2,787 sq m housing 14 serviced offices and 14 managed workspaces.

Stainforth Construction was selected for the project following a competitive tender process held by the Newlands Community Association (NCA), a community organisation based in East Bradford that supports a range of activities covering training, education, care and socialising across six separate locations. The NCA will own and manage Inspire Bradford Business Park. Work will start on site in April and is expected to be completed early next year.

Tony Holdich, chief executive of the NCA said: “The appointment of a contractor brings the delivery of Inspire a step closer and we are delighted a local firm has won the contract. Stainforth Construction has an impressive track record and I am looking forward to them starting work on site.

“Our aspiration for Inspire is to create a work environment of the very highest standard while ensuring that it provides efficient and flexible accommodation to exceed tenants' requirements.”

Inspire Bradford Business Park will provide some of the highest specification commercial property available within the city and will also include an onsite café and digital media centre. Individuals and businesses will also be able to hire any of four meeting rooms by the hour or day.

Available offices range in size from 10 sq m to 38 sq m and the work spaces are 64 sq m with a 34 sq m mezzanine floor. The two buildings will be built according to the latest sustainable construction standards to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, including utilising thermally efficient, one metre thick straw bale wall panels. Offices range in price from £2,600-£5,200 per year on fully inclusive terms whilst all of the managed work spaces are priced at £6,000 per year with separate metered utility bills.

Sustainable features of the business park include a ground-source heat pump and a rainwater catchment reservoir which will supply lavatories and water for plants within the building. Photovoltaic cells in the roof will also create energy whilst wooden fittings and carpets will be made from recycled material.

Stainforth Construction managing director Danny Wilson said: “This is a really exciting project to be involved in and we are absolutely committed to delivering the highest level of quality and sustainability. The vision that Tony and the NCA have created for Inspire is bold and exciting and we are looking forward to making it a reality.”

The business park’s location provides fast access to Bradford and Leeds city centres and the M62 and M1 whilst Leeds Bradford International airport is less than five miles away by car.

Funding for the development comprises £1.019m of European Union investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme in Yorkshire and The Humber, £1m from the Communitybuilders Fund and £990,000 from Bradford Council’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. NCA also secured a £1m mortgage from The Charity Bank for the business park.

For further information on Inspire Bradford Business Park - including details on the office, work spaces and services available - call 0844 3814347.