Development 1st phase on course for early 2026 completion
A major milestone has been reached at FI Real Estate Management’s £100m Botany Hill development.
CONSTRUCTION WORK is progressing on the second phase of FI Real Estate Management’s Botany Bay Business Park in Chorley. Known as Botany Hill, the scheme is set to offer high-quality industrial space just off the M61.
Totalling over 300,000 sq ft, Botany Hill is part of the wider £220m Botany Bay Business Park development. Botany Hill’s first phase is due to complete in Q1 2026 and will deliver approximately 140,000 sq ft of high-quality new-build units. Upon completion, the units will range from 4,840 sq ft to 32,120 sq ft.
The site benefits from an excellent location just 0.2 miles from Junction 8 of the M61 and in close proximity to Chorley town centre.
The flexible units will be suitable for a range of businesses, with options to combine spaces and work with FI Developments on a bespoke fit out.
FIREM are already in discussions with a number of local and national occupiers and have recently appointed a new agency team to market the site, which includes JLL, Trevor Dawson & Box 4 Real Estate.
The progression of phase one at Botany Hill comes just after industry-leading retail and industrial occupiers moved into Botany Bay Business Park in May, with Greggs, Costa and Central Co-op taking space and local timber employer Donaldson’s relocating their operations to the site.
The first tenants are expected to be able to move in at Botany Hill in Q1 2026, with the second phase of development coming forward later that year, with design and build opportunities available.
Construction has been managed in its entirety by FIREM’s development arm, FI Developments. The site has now had extensive ground remodelling and retaining wall works completed, involving a cut and fill exercise to ensure no materials have left site, minimising impacts on the local highway network.
Superstructure works have now commenced with steel frames underway, alongside access roads and main drainage. Once complete, the entire Botany Bay Business Park site will create over 1,000 jobs, boosting the local economy and creating employment opportunities for the local community.
Tim Knowles, founder and managing director at FI Real Estate Management, said: “The progression of construction at Botany Hill marks an exciting new chapter for Chorley, creating a major opportunity to bring more investment into the area and support the ambitions of local businesses. Being able to manage all the construction in-house allowed us to keep the process as productive and efficient as possible.
“As a long-term investor in Chorley, we’re committed to adding lasting value. This next phase will not only deliver high-quality industrial space in a key location but also create employment opportunities and attract new businesses, as well as allowing existing ones to remain in the area and grow their footprint.
“We’re proud to be investing in Chorley and playing a role in shaping its future.”
For more information, visit www.fi-rem.com
There is also a video of the progress here.
