Insider Media Limited

Abbey Meadows in Leicester, the site of the proposed Leicester Science Park, is to be put up for sale by the government. The news was revealed as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) confirmed 16 East Midlands Development Agency (Emda) assets will be sold off. In a letter sent from business minister Mark Prisk to the shadow business secretary John Denham, Prisk insisted the disposal of the former Emda assets was “not a fire sale”.

Abbey Meadows heads up a list of 16 Emda-owned properties and sites, which included much-heralded schemes such as the Sherwood Energy Village in Ollerton and the Derby Rail Centre site.

Other assets to be sold off include the former BOC site on Raynesway. Last year, Emda brought in local developer Cedar House to prepare the 5.8-acre site for development.

In his letter to Denham, Prisk confirmed that in some cases local authorities would be given first refusal on the sites. The letter read: “The regional development agencies (RDAs) are working closely with local authorities and other local partners to achieve the best outcome for the local area consistent with the public purse.”

Prisk also confirmed that former coalfields, previously owned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and subsequently transferred to the RDAs, will be transferred back to HCA ownership.

Other Emda sites up for sale are: Unit 3, Poulton Drive, Nottingham; Unit A3, Poulton Drive, Nottingham; Albany Works, Carlton Road, Nottingham; 10 Newark Street, Sneinton, Nottingham; Princes Supermarket, Bold Lane, Derby; the former Subaru site, Siddals Lane, Derby; 7 John Street, Derby; 30,32,34 and 38 John Street, Derby; the former CEF site, 2 New Street, Derby; and 50 George Street, Leicester.

Prisk said a decision of the remainder of Emda land and property assets would be made “in due course”.