New Build, Refurbishment & External Works at Braidhurst Industrial Estate

Tender description

Located in Forgewood, North Motherwell, Braidhurst is a run-down, 4.5Ha, 1960s industrial estate. It has poor and ageing infrastructure, its industrial units are now coming to the end of their useful lifespan and a large (more than one acre) part of the site is vacant and derelict. Despite this, Braidhurst continues to trade reasonably well with most of the units owner-occupied or let however without significant investment there is no viable long-term future for the estate and its current condition belies Braidhurst’s potential as a modern, low-carbon industrial estate which supports start-ups and SMEs, and which sustains skilled jobs in the local economy. This project will realise Braidhurst’s potential, act as a demonstrator project for the modernisation of similar small-scale industrial estates across North Lanarkshire and will make a significant contribution to the area’s plans for economic regeneration, inclusive growth, and net zero. It will do so by: - Creating 10 new, net zero ‘incubator’ units providing affordable premises for start-ups, micro-businesses, and social enterprises. Energy and heat demand met by on-site generation. - Providing two of these units, rent-free, to community services/organisations – to combat social isolation (identified as a particular local challenge during the pandemic) and improve health and wellbeing in the local community, one unit will become a ‘Men’s Shed’; the other will become a hub for the community restorative justice service, enabling individuals within the criminal justice system to learn new skills (preventing reoffending) and repay their local community – including by helping maintain the estate and the local landscape - Refurbishing six outdated industrial units which are owned by NLP, extending the life of this existing infrastructure (saving embodied carbon), and investing in their energy efficiency to reduce heat demand and carbon usage - Completely overhauling and upgrading Braidhurst’s infrastructure including roads, footpaths, drainage, lighting, and the estate’s boundary, significantly improving environmental and operational quality and reducing carbon - Improving estate car parking provision - Installing new infrastructure to ensure that businesses can connect to high-speed broadband - Installing EV charging infrastructure which will allow businesses at Braidhurst to decarbonise their fleet and encourage workers to adopt electric vehicle use - Acquiring a recently cleared site at the entrance to the estate for landscaping and aesthetic improvements, including new signage, pedestrian footpaths, cycle access and storage facilities (which will encourage active travel and support local people to access employment opportunities on the estate).