A development of new industrial units at Lancashire Business Park is to be named after the founder of Leyland Motors.

Honouring the area's proud automotive history, Sumner Point will take the name of James Sumner to retain the site's link as the former home of Leyland Motors.

Due to open in early 2021, the development will provide superb new facilities for businesses, offering eight new industrial and warehouse units with between 3,000 square feet and 36,300 square feet of high-quality accommodation to let.

Sumner Point is being constructed on a two-acre development site in a prominent location on Enterprise Drive, the main road through the former Leyland Trucks site in Farington near Leyland.

Construction is being carried out by the Bamber Bridge-based company Eric Wright Group, through the county council's Strategic Partnership Agreement.

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The current site offers access to the motorway network and is owned by Lancashire County Developments Limited (LCDL), the economic development company for Lancashire County Council.

County Councillor Tim Ashton, chairman of LCDL, said: "It's highly appropriate that our new development recognises the proud history of Leyland Motors at this site.

"This is already a popular business park and with these new units we'll be able to meet the demand for more space for small and medium-size businesses to grow and develop."

County Councillor Michael Green, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, added: "Sumner Point recognises one of this area's greatest success stories, and I look forward to it becoming home to many more thriving businesses when it opens next year.

"The units will be equipped with everything that modern businesses need, with high-speed broadband connections and electric vehicle charging points, as well as being partially solar powered."

John Wilson, managing director of Eric Wright Construction, said: "This scheme has been developed in partnership with Lancashire County Council to ensure we have a better understanding of the market and what’s required to meet local needs and is one of a number of schemes already delivered by us through the Lancashire Regeneration Property Partnership (LRPP).

"Working on this project throughout lockdown has created a whole new set of challenges. However, we are delighted that these new industrial and warehouse facilities will provide real benefits to encourage new business into the area early next year."

(JG)