Glencar has been appointed by Wilson Bowden to deliver the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) at Plot R2, Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale. This 43,500 sq ft project will deliver a cutting-edge innovation environment designed to support collaboration, research, and development across sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing.
The SMMC will feature a diverse mix of spaces tailored to support flexible working and innovation. The ground floor will house a large open workshop, an adaptable space for light industrial or office use, a social café, and a lecture theatre. The upper level will offer a suite of cellular offices, meeting rooms, and breakout areas, creating a multi-functional hub that encourages interaction between disciplines.
External works form a key part of the development, with an ancillary service yard, landscaping, and car parking incorporated into the design.
Specialist Works
The project includes a range of technical and enabling works, including:
- Groundworks and remediation, with the use of VSC piles to support the unit’s footprint
- Section 278 highway connections
- A newly constructed footpath linking the site to the adjacent tram stop
- Category A fit-out
Continuing a Strong Partnership
The SMMC marks the latest in a series of successful projects Glencar has delivered for Wilson Bowden at Kingsway Business Park. Previous schemes include Plot M, completed in 2023 and providing 287,000 sq ft of warehouse space across three units, and Plot J2, a 203,500 sq ft development finished in 2024. This latest appointment builds on that relationship, extending the partnership into the research and innovation sector.
Tom Kearsley, North Regional Director at Glencar, said:
“We’re proud to be working once again with Wilson Bowden and the wider team to deliver this unique and forward-looking facility. The SMMC will bring together different disciplines under one roof and support future-facing innovation in the region. We’re excited to bring our experience and collaborative approach to this important scheme.”
Henry Henson, Development Manager at Wilson Bowden Developments, said:
“It’s a momentous occasion to finally see construction activity commence on-site for this exciting flagship project. The SMMC will form an important part of the continued success story at Kingsway Business Park and we look forward to bringing this vision to life.”
Project Team
- Client / PM: Wilson Bowden
- Employer’s Agent / QS: KAM Project Consultants
- Architect: DLA Architecture
- Engineer: BWB Consulting
Completion and Future Impact
Due for completion in September 2026, the SMMC is being positioned as a flagship facility for innovation in sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing. By combining research labs, social spaces, and business infrastructure in one location, the project is designed to foster partnerships and knowledge exchange in the North West.
Launch
The scheme’s launch event, held at Kingsway Business Park on 12th November, attracted a broad cross-section of stakeholders including local authority representatives, industry partners and the regional mayor, underlining the site’s strategic importance to the region’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
