Leading real estate developer, Graftongate, has committed to delivering a new £30 million advanced helicopter logistics hub on behalf of Italian aerospace giant, Leonardo.

The 210,000 sq ft project in Yeovil, Somerset, will see the consolidation of eight existing warehouses into one all-encompassing logistics hub.

The single-site logistics facility will help support Leonardo Helicopters’ global fleet through the warehousing of components and tooling in a state-of-the-art development, which has sustainability at its core.  

Its features include rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, full LED lighting throughout the facility and a heat recovery system in the main warehouse, which will be complemented by a modern office temperature control system. In addition, there will be a bank of electrical vehicle charging points.

Graftongate will deliver the new development on a 35-year lease in partnership with a CBRE Investment Advisory retained pension fund.

Leonardo’s logistics partner, Kuehne+Nagel, will operate the new facility under a ten-year logistics contract.

Construction of the development will commence in August and is scheduled for practical completion in Q4 2022.  

Jamie Hockaday, Director at Graftongate, said: “We are very pleased to have collaborated with Leonardo Helicopters and Kuehne+Nagel to aid the delivery of the UK’s only onshore helicopter manufacturer.”