First development plans for huge Brocastle Employment Park site

The first phase at the 116 acre site owned by the Welsh Government will see a major industrial unit built

The first development at the Welsh Government’s Brocastle Employment Park in Bridgend has been confirmed.

Joint venture partners Hilllwood and Maple Grove Developments (Deeside Regeneration) have agreed terms with the Cardiff Bay administration to speculatively develop a 57,486 industrial unit on a 4.85 acre plot at the park.

The wider brownfield site extends to 116 acres where the Welsh Government has invested in infrastructure in the hope of attracting new investment and jobs.

The amount the developers have agreed to pay the Welsh Government for the land, known as plot five, has not been disclosed. They are also receiving grant funding for the scheme from the Welsh Government via the Development Bank of Wales. The grant amount has also not been disclosed.

The site benefits from outline consent planning and is being marketed specifically to the manufacturing sector.

Subject to full planning work on site will commence early next year with the building ready for occupancy towards year end.

The developers are confident of securing a tenant for the building with proximity to the M4 and the current lack of grade A industrial space in Wales.

The Brocastle land had been earmarked for a 500 job factory for production of the Grenadier 4x 4 vehicle from Ineos Automotive. However, at a late stage, the company opted for a site in France. The site adjoins the former Bridgend Ford engine plant which is being turned into a data venture campus by US firm Vantage.

Bob Tattrie, managing director of Hillwood, said “We are excited to be bringing forward a further advanced build industrial scheme in South Wales, which suffers from a lack of frade A industrial accommodation. We are also delighted to again work with Maple Grove in delivering this.”

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, said: “Developing modern employment sites and premises which provide investment ready platforms is a key part of the new Welsh Government’s mission to halve Wales’ productivity gap with the UK average.

“Such sites support businesses to plan and invest with confidence, and this development provides important opportunities for both new investment into Wales and for existing Welsh businesses to grow.”

Andrew Dewhurst, director at Maple Grove Developments, said: “We are pleased to have secured the development plot for the upcoming business unit on Brocastle Business Park. Planning works progress well with a view to being on site in early 2027. Bringing forward our third joint venture in Wales is a proud moment for Maple Grove and we’re delighted to be working with our partners at Hillwood.”

Letting agents for the Brocastle site are property advisory firms JLL and Knight Frank through their Cardiff offices.