Heath Park in Cheshire
A unique ethical investment opportunity for a mixed-use regeneration development, focused on market-leading green technology, at a thriving and successful business and technical park.
Suitable for a development and investment partner, Heath Park is visionary scheme with exceptional ESG credentials that has sustainability, clean energy, and net zero at its core.
Delivering an ultra-modern ‘live, work, play’ environment, the target is to complete the project within 5 years.
Location:
Runcorn in Cheshire
Investment type:
Capital investment - real estate
Sector:
(Greener buildings, Mixed use, Residential, Offices, Retail, leisure & creative)
Project promoter:
SOG Group
Scale:
£190 million
Planning status:
Planning application submitted
Time to Final Investment Decision (FID):
1-2 years
Sector and market opportunity
Heath Park is a Liverpool City Region ‘Beacon Project’ located in a long-established science and business park which will create a sustainable environment for families to live, work and play in. The aim is for the site to be powered by 100% hydrogen and other renewable energies.
Heath Park will evolve to meet the challenges of tomorrow in a realistic and commercially viable venture - existing buildings will be repurposed alongside the new development, with health, wellbeing, and clean energy central to everything.
Local food production and Vertical Farming are focal to the project. Heath Park will include a world-leading ‘Field of the Future’ Vertical Farm at the heart of the community. This unique 55,000 sq. ft. facility is planned to be powered by hydrogen from the proposed HyNet (the North-West hydrogen pipeline), which will realise the goal of growing net zero food produce.
Location
Located on the fringe of rural North Cheshire, Heath Park is conveniently situated between Liverpool and Manchester.
There is already an accomplished science and business presence in Runcorn, and Heath Park will be an important asset to the surrounding area. It will offer energy efficient housing alongside the next-generation vertical farm which will supply healthy, locally produced food for the community.
Connectivity
The park will be within easy reach of the international airports of both Liverpool and Manchester.
A recently opened second bridge across the River Mersey gives fast access to Liverpool, while London is accessible in less than 2 hours by train from Runcorn Station (which is just 5 minutes away from the park).
The M56 and M62 are nearby, giving direct access to the national motorway network. Liverpool’s international maritime port is also close.
Local talent and skills
The area at Heath Park is currently home to 120 businesses, supporting 2,000 jobs across more than 20 different business sectors.
The award-winning site has a long and distinguished history in research and development. By employing highly skilled individuals, it has established a strong reputation for cutting-edge science, technical subject matter expertise, and global operations.
Over 2,000 patents have been registered through pioneering R&D work undertaken since SOG Group launched The Heath in 2000.
Research and expertise
SOG Group specialises in regeneration and has collective expertise that’s been acknowledged by business leaders, heads of government, and cross-party politicians for more than two decades.
The universities of Liverpool and Lancaster have worked alongside an experienced design team to give support to vertical farming and design-led healthy community solutions.
Region Spotlight
North of England
The North of England is recognised as a global centre for creativity and design and attracts thriving international investment. This heritage of expertise and manufacturing know-how is well established on the world stage, and historically gave birth to the Industrial Revolution.
Further details
The development includes a significant element of refurbishment and repurposing to aid in the reduction of carbon use within the construction process.
In addition, the works will aim to use reclaimed and recycled materials.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) highlights
Heath Park has been designed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, well ahead of the UK government’s 2050 target.
On completion and operation, the global real estate benchmark GRESB projects Heath Park as 5* for the environmental and sustainability benefits of the scheme.
Heath Park will offer outstanding social benefits project with exceptional ecological values. The Vertical Farm element alone produces a recurring ESG of £13m+ while the rest of the scheme has an ESG value of £52m.
Promoters and partnerships
Heath Park is currently being promoted under the leadership of SOG Group.
Strong partnerships have been formed with Halton Borough Council (leadership and planning), together with the offices of the Mayor of Liverpool City Region and the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
SOG Group is liaising with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Innovate UK, and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) on the overall programme, with particular emphasis on the project’s ground-breaking vertical farming elements.
Local and national government support
In addition to academic and professional support, Heath Park has received widespread political support from Liverpool and Manchester’s Metro Mayors, as well as the local MP and leader of the local council.
SOG Group’s regeneration model has received impressive endorsements from prominent figures for more than 20 years, including acknowledgements for the Heath Park vision.
