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Construction is under way on a £12m development which could bring 185 jobs to South Yorkshire.

Carnell Management Services (CMS) is delivering the new commercial development called Kestrel Park, just off Junction 36 of the M1 in Barnsley, with backing from Barnsley Council’s Property Investment Fund and the South Yorkshire Jessica Fund. The new development will serve up 77,411 sqft of industrial space across seven units, ranging from 3,000 sqft to 21,500 sqft.

Work has started on the site near Hoyland led by contractors BDB Design Build, with the units being built to meet BREEAM ‘Very Good’ sustainability standards with solar panels, EV charging points, cycle parking, LED lighting and fully fitted offices and amenities.

Enterprising Barnsley business investment manager Shaun Higginbottom said: “Kestrel Park is delivering some much-appreciated, high-quality accommodation to meet high demand in the Barnsley borough. We often have enquiries for smaller units like these coming from both expanding local companies and inward investors.

“It’s great to see a commercial property developer like CMS continuing to invest with confidence in the borough - recognising Barnsley as a very attractive location for business.”

Martyn Carnell, managing director of CMS, said: “Our latest development, Kestrel Park, reinforces our commitment to investing in our local area and follows other successful projects such as the Nexus industrial park at Capitol Park, Junction 37, which we completed in 2019. As always we’re focused on strong ESG credentials for our sustainable developments and aim to deliver high-spec industrial and trade units suitable for a wide range of small businesses.

“We have a long-standing positive relationship with Barnsley Council, and specifically Shaun. Our collaborative partnership and shared vision have been key to the successful planning and implementation of this development, which delivers another dynamic scheme to the local economy.”

Kestrel Park, which is being developed within the South Yorkshire Investment Zone, has received £3m of funding from the South Yorkshire Jessica Fund (SYMCA).

Director of the South Yorkshire Jessica Fund, Ben Morley said: “Utilising a flexible approach to supporting development in the region has allowed this development to proceed. With support from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority the Fund has utilised its own funds together with those that come with being the º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s first Investment Zone to bring forward a scheme that has the ability to accommodate local business growth and inward investment at one the region’s ‘Opportunity Sites’.”

The scheme is due to be completed early next year with units available in the spring, and the site is being marketed by joint letting agents Knight Frank and Smiths Chartered Surveyors.

Rebecca Schofield, partner at Knight Frank in Sheffield, said: “The seven units, ranging in size from 3,000 to 21,500 sq ft, provide units for the smaller end of the market where there is more limited availability. The units are ideally located close to M1 J36 and will be finished to a high specification, which no doubt will prove attractive to expanding local and regional companies, and attract inward investors to the area.”