Business Park is being developed by Priority Sites Limited on one of three Sector 36 Business Parks that are amongst Barnsley’s best located sites, one mile from M1 Junction 36.

The park, which will provide high-quality, speculative business accommodation, is being supported through the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Objective 1 Programme in South Yorkshire which is investing over £700 million of European money to help transform the South Yorkshire economy and increase the opportunities for all its people. The project is being brought forward on behalf of Objective 1 by Barnsley Development Agency and Renaissance South Yorkshire, the regeneration body established by partners in South Yorkshire to help deliver the economic transformation of the region.

Work is due to commence shortly and will provide on-site infrastructure including roads and utility services and 60,000 sq ft of speculative industrial development with units ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 sq ft.

Sylvia Yates, Objective 1 Programme Director said: “Objective 1 investment is all about creating opportunities for the economy of South Yorkshire to grow. Our investment makes the difference between a development proceeding or not and we are pleased to support this scheme which offers opportunities for businesses looking to expand and grow and employment opportunities for local people.”

Paul Barber, Chief Executive of Priority Sites – the joint venture company owned by The Royal Bank of Scotland and national regeneration agency English Partnerships - said: “We are delighted to continue supporting the economic regeneration of Barnsley. This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the town following the recent start on site of our eleven unit development at nearby Wharncliffe Business Park – one of Priority Sites’ largest developments, in unit terms, in our seven year history.”

Phil Spurr, Area Regeneration Manager at Renaissance South Yorkshire commented, “This development provides South Yorkshire with an important boost to the amount of high quality, available business space in the area. The fact that such a development can be undertaken speculatively underlines the real capability in South Yorkshire to attract investors in the future. The success of Shortwood will help to underpin the proposed development of similar well located sites.”

David Kennedy, Executive Director of Development at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council said, “These units form an important part of the overall regeneration strategy for the area which will bring new jobs and stimulate inward investment at a local level.”