Engineering firm first to sign at Looms
Whitehouse Construction will relocate to a new-build 8,000 sq ft headquarters building at Ivygrove Development’s proposed business park in Derby’s Spondon district.
Having completed a deal to buy the seven-acre former Albert Looms car breakers yard this summer, Ivygrove Developments is taking forward the Looms Business Park project.
The two companies, which are already professionally acquainted, have now entered into a design and build agreement for a bespoke HQ facility as the first major project within the Looms site.
Ashbourne-based Whitehouse, a civil engineering firm founded in 1977, said the facility will allow it to consolidate flood door manufacture and property flood resilience testing under one roof.
The HQ will occupy nearly two acres and include 8,000 sq ft of office space, a large compound for vehicles and plant, and parking for over 50 cars.
A planning application will be submitted to Derby City Council in early October, with construction expected to begin following approval.
Phase two of the Looms development is expected to include 80,000 sq ft. of small and medium-sized industrial units, available for sale or let. Ivygrove said the first units could be ready from late 2026.
Whitehouse chair Jo Ewart-Sear said: “Our business has been rooted in Derbyshire for close to 50 years.
“Partnering with Ivygrove to develop a space that reflects our heritage and supports our future growth is a natural step. Looms Business Park offers unrivalled connectivity and a purposeful environment for our people, equipment, and clients to thrive.”
Whitehouse serves clients such as National Grid, Severn Trent, and the Environment Agency across the Midlands.
“Whitehouse are an excellent company to work with,” said John Blount, chairman of Ivygrove Developments. “We’re proud to be working together once again on such a significant project.”
Stephen Salloway of agent Salloway Property Consultants emphasised the site’s strategic location: “Looms Business Park offers exceptional access to the UK’s major road network via the A52, A50, and M1—making it one of the most logistically advantageous sites in Derby.”
