Tawd Valley Developments (TVD) has received approval for its masterplan for the redevelopment of Skelmersdale town centre and for the delivery of a new eco-business park.
The wholly-owned development arm of West Lancashire Borough Council, which has been seeking to move beyond the delivery of new housing stock to a ‘master developer’ role, says it can now take “a big step forward” following approval of these initiatives.
The £200m masterplan for Skelmersdale town centre will see more than 500,000 sq ft of new commercial and residential space developed across 75 acres, and at junction four of the M58, TVD is also now pushing ahead with the delivery of the £14m White Moss Business Park, which will deliver 45 environmentally friendly and flexible business units. TVD has appointed Caddick Construction to build the scheme with works due to start in June and complete in phases up to December 2026.
Mark Kitts, managing director of TVD, said: “This is a big step forward for our business, enabling us to gear up to manage much larger projects as we seek to build on the very positive growth in the borough’s economy. We have spoken to almost 30 potential development and funding partners about our ambitions [for Skelmersdale] and, in addition to benefiting from some extremely useful advice and insights, got a clear view of the market’s appetite for investing in the town. I’m very encouraged indeed and am relishing discussions with more potential partners at UKREiiF, as we want all eyes on Skelmersdale.”
Yvonne Gagen, leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, added: “This masterplan is not just ambitious, it’s practical, deliverable and rooted in what matters most to our residents. It reflects the priorities we’ve consistently heard from our communities and ensures we’re making the right choices for the future of our borough.
“The plan aligns with our growing economic development strategy, and complements our local plan, all while driving investment, creating jobs and promoting sustainable growth. By working with TVD, we’re ensuring the council remains firmly in the driving seat. Residents’ interests will stay front and centre as we move from planning to delivery.”
