15th February 2002
PRIORITY SITES ANNOUNCES BARNSLEY INVESTMENTS

Chief executive of Priority Sites Paul Barber has today (Friday 15 February 2026) announced two new potential investments in the Barnsley area..

The joint venture projects, a business park close to the M1 and a town centre office complex, were announced as Mr Barber addressed an audience of 120 property developers, investors and professionals at a breakfast meeting hosted by Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) at the Marriott Hotel in Leeds.

Priority Sites, a joint venture company owned by English Partnerships and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc has a remit to undertake industrial and commercial development in areas of economic need, helping to attract new jobs and wealth to these locations.

Mr Barber, emphasised that the borough has many positive attributes, which have effectively been an undiscovered secret to the property industry until recently.

Waxing lyrical about Barnsley: the ‘Bard’ Ian McMillan (left) extols the virtues of the borough to Paul Barber, David Kennedy and John Penney

Focusing on the growth of the town’s economy, its green environment and excellent communication links, a good quality labour supply, easy access to markets and the availability of a variety of means of financial assistance, Mr Barber said there couldn’t be a better time to invest in Barnsley before the secret was out in the open.

He stressed the importance of creating quality developments for the borough’s future, and acknowledged that the booming property market in Leeds and Sheffield, complete with soaring prices, presented an opportunity for Barnsley.

Other speakers at the event included BDA chief executive John Penney, who outlined the borough’s investment proposition, and Barnsley MBC executive director environment and development, David Kennedy, who spoke on the ambitious new vision for the future of the town centre.

Commenting on issues raised at the event, John Penney said: "Today we have been able to give key regional property developers, investors and professionals a new take on the investment opportunities available across Barnsley, including strategic sites in the town centre.”

If you require any further information please email us.

Barnsley Development Agency
Beevor Court, Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HG
Telephone: +44 (0)1226 784444

© 2002