Scarborough Group International

A far-reaching master plan for the second phase of Thorpe Park Leeds is expected to create up to 15,000 jobs and put it on the map as a leading European business destination.

Details released today by owners Kevin McCabe’s Scarborough Group reveal that investment levels of between £400m-£500m will establish the already successful Thorpe Park as one of the top five business locations in the UK and a magnet for enterprises throughout Europe because of its facilities and excellent travel communications adjacent to the M1 on the outskirts of Leeds.

The Scarborough Group, working in conjunction with internationally renowned architects Make, creators of London’s Gherkin, outlined radical plans which will include:

• A further 1.8m sq ft of office space in clusters alongside pedestrian hubs;

• Health and leisure areas

• A budget hotel

• Restaurants and complementary retail/coffee shops

• Parks and water spaces

• An outdoor running track

• Dedicated cycle and pedestrian routes.

Thorpe Park, which already has 600,000 sq ft of developed office space and employs 4,500 people, has attracted a high profile line – up of occupiers including brewers Coors, Dutch construction group BAM Construction, GE Money, IBM, the University of Leeds, the National Grid and construction company Vinci.

Andrew Richardson, one of the key figures working for Scarborough on the project, said: “In drawing up the master plan we have put ourselves in the shoes of the occupiers and their changing requirements. Being just another business park was never an option. The outcome is that we have a location with facilities that means we can justifiably say we are a European business destination.

“We believe that the key to future success, growth and the development of a business or organisation in the seamless interaction of the people within the environment they occupy.”

He added: “The high quality buildings occupy a semi-rural setting, providing rewarding benefits for employees by allowing convenient access to the numerous green acres and bridle ways in and around the park. Our master planning for a cohesive and productive business community will produce results and a quality working environment. It will deliver bespoke new and sustainable quality buildings, suitable for a variety of occupiers.”

Thorpe Park is dedicated to being green and the existing Icon building provides a series of solutions to enhance the environment including the pre-heating of the building by the morning sun rising in the east, heating or cooling delivered as required thanks to thermal mass absorbing fluctuations, rainwater used for toilet flushing and large shaded windows to admit lots of natural light.

In addition, a travel strategy, embracing car, train and bicycle, along with the provision of bespoke travel advice, allows employees to take full advantage of the various travel options to reduce the environmental impact of journeys to and from work.

Thorpe Park is recognised as having one of the best and most successful private car share schemes in the UK as a result of a partnership with the Highways Authority.

When the second phase has been completed, Thorpe Park will have 7,000 trees, 200,000 shrubs and hedges, 50,000 bulbs and 15,000 aquatic plants.