REG - Harworth Group PLC - Harworth and Microsoft receive resolution to grant

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RNS Number : 9210B  Harworth Group PLC  27 April 2026

HARWORTH GROUP PLC

('Harworth' or the 'Group' or the 'Company')

 

Harworth and Microsoft receive resolution to grant planning consent for
hyperscale data centre and I&L space at Skelton Grange, Leeds

Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG), a leading regeneration, strategic land and
development business, announces that the Leeds local planning committee has
passed a resolution to approve(1) the MSFT MCIO Limited ('Microsoft') planning
application at Skelton Grange (Leeds, West Yorkshire).

The application seeks full planning permission for a data centre campus with
all associated infrastructure and outline planning permission for a warehouse
building. The proposals comprise c.500,000 sq ft across three data centre
halls and auxiliary buildings to be situated on Plots 1 and 2 and c.160,000 sq
ft of I&L space and EV charging on Harworth's 16-acre adjoining plot.

Having completed the first phase of the transaction (Plot 1) with Microsoft in
June 2024, comprising 27 acres for a gross consideration of £51.2m, Harworth
continues to deliver site remediation and enabling works on behalf of
Microsoft. The second phase (Plot 2) comprises 21 acres where we are also
delivering enabling works and on completion of sale to Microsoft will receive
a further £53.2m.

Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, commented: "Obtaining the
resolution to grant planning consent is demonstrable progress towards the
completion of the Plot 2 sale and reflects our close and effective
collaboration with Microsoft.   This transaction has driven group level
value growth and facilitates investment in the region, catalysing economic
growth, with Skelton Grange estimated to deliver c. £4bn of inward investment
when the development completes.

 

"At Skelton, the 16 acres of adjoining land and our adjacent Gateway 45 site
provide capacity for further development.  Our powered land portfolio has a
further 0.8GW of power connections, on top of our Skelton Grange site, and is
well positioned to capture demand from data centre and other power-intensive
sectors, providing the potential for further upside opportunities, delivering
strong group level value gains and attractive shareholder returns."

 

Financial calendar key dates

Harworth will announce a Trading Update for Q1-2026 at its AGM on Monday 18
May 2026.

 

Notes:

1. Application reference 25/06139/FU. Leeds City Council's Plans Panel
(23/04/2027) deferred and delegated the Chief Planning Officer to approve
subject to conditions and completion of S106 agreement.

 

-ENDS-

 

For further information

 

 Harworth Group plc
 Lynda Shillaw (Chief Executive)             T: +44 (0)114 349 3131

 Kitty Patmore (Chief Financial Officer)     E: investors@harworthgroup.com (mailto:investors@harworthgroup.com)

 Juliana Weiss Dalton (Investor Relations)

 FTI Consulting
 Dido Laurimore                              T: +44 (0)20 3727 1000

 Richard Gotla                               E: Harworth@fticonsulting.com (mailto:Harworth@fticonsulting.com)

 Eve Kirmatzis

 

About Harworth

Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG), is a leading regeneration, strategic land and
development business focused on the I&L and Residential sectors. We own,
develop, and manage a portfolio of over 15,000 acres of Strategic Land over
100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands. We specialise
in delivering long-term value for all stakeholders by regenerating large,
complex sites, into new I&L developments and serviced remediated land for
sale into the I&L and Residential land markets. Our long-term
through-the-cycle business model is to create sustainable places, support new
homes, jobs and communities where people want to live and work. Visit
www.harworthgroup.com for further information. LEI: 213800R8JSSGK2KPFG21

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