For many people, the recent relaxation of COVID restrictions has triggered the first proper return to the workplace for nearing on two years. At Thorpe Park we’ve certainly missed having you here, but what have you missed whilst you have been away?
Central Park Officially Opens
In June 2021 Central Park officially opened to the public. Central Park is an eight-acre green space located between The Springs retail and leisure park and the new homes development by Redrow. Designed by award-winning landscape architects Ares, it now provides a nature haven and peaceful walking route for homeowners, business park occupiers and the wider community. The space will complement further plans to deliver the adjacent 113-acre Green Park which will also provide new sports facilities.
Over 375 new trees have been planted with hundreds of metres of hedgerow and six large ponds providing habitats for birds and amphibians. A huge variety of flora and fauna species are also planted across all areas of the site to provide food for pollinators, habitat space for insects and nesting for birds. Wildflower meadows, species rich grassland and woodland buffer creates a natural environment amid the bustle of the business park.
Central Park also includes running routes and exercise trails to encourage walkers, cyclists and equestrians to use the park with links to local Public Rights of Way with the surrounding communities, as well as safe routes for local wildlife away from the road.
Find out more here.
FlexiBus Launches in East Leeds
In November 2021 West Yorkshire’s first on demand public transport service was launched at Thorpe Park, providing a flexible and convenient way to travel around the East Leeds area by bus. Unlike more traditional bus services which operate to a fixed timetable and along fixed routes, the FlexiBus service will go anywhere, and at a time to suit you… in many ways it is more like an ‘Uber bus’ than a normal bus service.
You need to book your trip at least one hour before you wish to travel, by app or by phone, then watch your bus on a real time map as it makes its way to you. The app will tell you where the bus will pick you up, which will be within 200m (3 minutes walk) of your current location, before dropping you off a similar distance from your desired destination.
The service will operate using a brand new fleet of electric buses, which will be working their way around the streets of East Leeds picking people up as they go.
Find out more here.
New £52m Office Build Programme Commences
In May 2021 Scarborough Group International (SGI) commenced works on site to deliver a significant exemplary office building at Thorpe Park Leeds. The 133,118sq ft building, which is pre-let to leading credit management company, Lowell, sets a new benchmark in workplace design at the park and has a gross development value of £52 million.
The programme expects to complete in September 2022, bringing around 1500 people to work at the site.
Find out more here.
Planning Applications Submitted For New 3G Pitches at Green Park, Thorpe Park
In April 2021 Leeds City Council submitted a planning application to deliver 4 new floodlit 3G football pitches, with associated changing and community facilities, on land connected to Thorpe Park Leeds.
The plans, which form part of the wider Green Park being delivered adjacent to Thorpe Park Leeds, and with the benefit of funding from the development, would provide a state of the art sports facility, available for use by the local community, including the business community at Thorpe Park.
Find out more here.