International fund and asset manager Valad Property Group has let 7,200 m[sup]2[/sup] at its Hartlebury Trading Estate near Kidderminster, Worcestershire to UK timber products manufacturer Forest Garden. The letting takes the total space leased by Valad at Hartlebury to just under 55,740 m[sup]2[/sup] since it purchased the estate in March 2004, and 18,580 m[sup]2[/sup] this year alone. Further lettings are currently under negotiation.

International fund and asset manager Valad Property Group has let 7,200 m2 at its Hartlebury Trading Estate near Kidderminster, Worcestershire to UK timber products manufacturer Forest Garden. The letting takes the total space leased by Valad at Hartlebury to just under 55,740 m2 since it purchased the estate in March 2004, and 18,580 m2 this year alone. Further lettings are currently under negotiation.

Forest Garden is increasing its manufacturing and distribution space at its Hartlebury headquarters by over 60% to a total of 19,045 m2. The £2.5 mln investment plan to centralise its operations to a single, flagship location will make it the largest occupier on the estate.

Rob Howe, Valad's UK Head of Asset Management, said: 'This is obviously an important strategic decision for Forest Garden to build an even stronger operational base at Hartlebury Trading Estate.'

Valad managea\s the Hartlebury estate on behalf of The Industrial Trust, a Rockspring fund. The estate is set in over 180 acres of parkland and offers a variety of industrial premises, including warehouse and office buildings plus development plots. Jarvie Bedhall and Harris Lamb are the retained letting agents for the estate.