Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has signed a lease agreement with ID Logistics Group, the international contract logistics group, for the 440,167 sq ft speculative unit at Panattoni Park Sittingbourne. The letting of S440 has been recognised as the largest deal signing this year in the South East. The letting secures a significant commitment in one of the South East’s most strategically positioned logistics corridors and reflects sustained occupier demand for large scale, future proofed distribution space in a supply constrained market. Panattoni Park Sittingbourne is located approximately four miles from Junction 5 of the M2, positioned between London and the Port of Dover. The location provides swift access to the M2, M20 and M25, and strong connectivity to key international and maritime gateways including London Thamesport, Dover and the Port of Tilbury. This strategic positioning supports both national distribution and port linked logistics, with rapid reach to population centres across the South East and wider UK. ID Logistics is a global customer of Panattoni’s, with operations across several European markets. This latest lease deal at Sittingbourne increases the total space occupied by ID Logistics within Panattoni Parks to more than 1.8 million sq ft across Europe. Panattoni continues to support the expansion of its clients’ operations by delivering new, future-ready facilities, and is pleased to welcome ID Logistics back to the portfolio. ID Logistics are expected to occupy the building from early Jan 2026 and will benefit from 15 metre clear internal height, extensive dock and level access provision, and a 50 metre contained service yard designed for high throughput operations. The building also benefits from exceptional power availability, and additional on-site generation from roof mounted solar PV included within the base specification. The facility forms part of Panattoni’s net zero carbon development strategy and targets best in class ESG performance. It combines occupational efficiency with long term decarbonisation benefits for ID Logistics operations, supporting resilient and lower carbon supply chains. Alex Mitchell, Associate Development Director:  South East & London, said: “It is great for us to secure such a significant letting this year. Securing ID Logistics at Panattoni Park Sittingbourne is a major endorsement of the park’s scale, specification, and location. In a South East market where large, high quality space is increasingly hard to find, this letting demonstrates the depth of occupier demand for immediate, future ready capacity along the M2 corridor. “S440 has been designed to support the operational intensity and resilience that global logistics groups now require, combining exceptional internal height, yard provision and power with a net zero carbon development approach. Sittingbourne offers outstanding connectivity to London, the national motorway network and key port gateways, making it an ideal platform for the next phase of ID Logistics growth in the UK.” Stuart Evans Managing Director of ID Logistics UK said: “Our collaboration with Panattoni on the Sittingbourne site reflects our long-term commitment to the strategic growth of ID Logistics in the UK. This facility will enhance our e commerce operational capabilities and support the economic growth in the local area.” Panattoni Park Sittingbourne, has one speculative unit remaining, comprising 205,000 sq ft which is ready for immediate tenant fit out. Located at the industrial estate is Morrisons that occupy over 1.7million sq ft of space and DPD which Panattoni pre-let on a D&B basis earlier this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans to expand Leicestershire’s Mercia Park have been approved, opening the door to the creation of up to 1,720 new jobs. The employment hub, located close to Junction 11 of the M42, already houses JLR’s Global Logistics Centre. Developer IM Properties submitted the hybrid planning application for the next phase of growth. The site currently supports more than 2,500 jobs and is home to JLR’s Global Logistics Centre (operated by Unipart) as well as a major facility for international logistics specialist DSV. The proposed expansion, split across two development zones, will deliver significant new commercial space and is expected to accommodate between 1,000 and 1,720 additional roles once fully operational. The scheme is also projected to generate around £2.8m per year in business rates. Development Zone 1 includes approximately 611,000 sq ft of employment space, with a further 442,000 sq ft planned for Zone 2. A report to North West Leicestershire Council’s Planning Committee, which met on 9 December, stated that the development’s contribution to economic growth and its ability to meet immediate demand for high-quality business space made it a strong fit for the area’s social and economic needs. Councillors voted to approve the plans subject to conditions. Speaking when the application was submitted, Matthew Fox, planning director at IM Properties, said that Mercia Park had proven itself as a prime business location with excellent transport links, net-zero-ready buildings and a high-quality landscaped environment. He added that expanding the site would build on its success and deliver much-needed commercial space to support investment in Leicestershire. Richard Sykes, development director at IM Properties, welcomed the committee’s decision, saying it marked a key step towards unlocking new employment opportunities and boosting the economy of North West Leicestershire. With DSV already planning an additional facility within the scheme, he said the expansion is well placed to attract another major manufacturer or logistics operator to the remaining 450,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major industrial and logistics scheme in Worksop, covering up to 4.5 million sq ft and with the potential to create as many as 4,000 jobs, has won approval. Caddick’s hybrid planning application for the 300-acre site, positioned at the A1/A57 junction on the eastern approach to the town, was backed by Bassetlaw District Council’s Planning Committee on 10 December. Known as EM.EX Worksop, the development is the largest employment allocation in Bassetlaw’s adopted local plan. Once fully operational, it is expected to contribute £175m in GVA each year and generate £11.5m in annual business rates. Phase 1 will see Caddick deliver enabling infrastructure and prepare a fully serviced development plot, supported by detailed consent for a multi-level unit of around two million sq ft for an identified occupier. This first phase represents a significant milestone in activating the scheme, with hundreds of new roles in logistics, operations and support services set to follow. Outline permission has also been granted for the remaining phases, allowing for a further footprint of up to four million sq ft of ground-level industrial and logistics space. Across the full masterplan, the scheme has the capacity to create up to 4,000 jobs. Chris Procter, director at Caddick, said the approval was the result of years of collaboration with the local authority and positions the development to deliver on its long-term vision. He said EM.EX Worksop offers next-generation logistics space with the flexibility and connectivity required to attract both national and international companies, adding that ongoing investment would help cement Bassetlaw’s role within the UK’s industrial and logistics landscape. Construction of Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in 2026, with phased development of the wider scheme to follow, ultimately bringing forward a range of unit sizes. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, welcomed the decision, noting that the prospect of up to 4,000 new jobs is a major boost for the region. She highlighted the importance of distribution hubs to the East Midlands economy and said the scheme will reinforce the area’s standing as a leading logistics corridor. Sally Gillborn MBE, chief executive of North Notts BID, said EM.EX Worksop represents a significant opportunity for Bassetlaw, attracting increased investment and delivering high-quality employment that will strengthen the district’s reputation as a centre for industry, innovation and logistics. The project team includes Stantec as planning consultant, KPP as architect, FPCR for landscape and biodiversity, BWB for environmental services, Brookbanks as utilities consultants, and MBA providing lighting and BREEAM expertise. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Associated British Ports (ABP) has officially begun construction on Helm @ Immingham, a major new industrial development hailed as one of the most significant schemes of its kind in the region for decades. The project marks the first phase of a wider 227-acre regeneration opportunity at the Stallingborough Interchange site, formerly known as Pioneer Business Park, which ABP acquired two years ago. The initial phase will deliver 103,000 sq ft of high-quality industrial and logistics space across eight units ranging from 4,820 sq ft to 26,797 sq ft. Aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, the scheme is expected to attract businesses in sectors such as energy, engineering, manufacturing, distribution and port logistics. North East Lincolnshire Council granted reserved matters consent earlier this year, allowing development to progress at pace. The investment signals ABP’s long-term commitment to strengthening the economic vitality of the Immingham and Grimsby area, which it positions as a nationally important trade gateway. Alongside Helm @ Immingham, the port operator has outlined plans to deliver 90 acres of car-handling facilities on the wider site, reinforcing the Humber’s role as the UK’s leading port complex for global import and export activity. The longer-term masterplan for Stallingborough Interchange includes the potential delivery of up to 1.1 million sq ft of additional logistics and manufacturing space. Future phases could also incorporate on-site renewable energy generation and biodiversity-led landscaping, supporting both sustainable operations and environmental enhancement. Andrew Dawes, regional director for the Humber ports, said the start of construction demonstrates ABP’s commitment to modernising the UK’s trade infrastructure and further establishing the Humber as the nation’s number one gateway for international commerce. He noted that Helm @ Immingham forms a key part of the group’s wider strategy to keep Britain trading, while also transitioning towards more sustainable energy solutions. Dawes added that ABP is proud to lead investment across the region and highlighted the role the development will play in supporting jobs, creating new commercial opportunities and underpinning economic growth across North East Lincolnshire. By continuing to evolve its port facilities and property portfolio, he said ABP aims to drive prosperity for local communities and help secure the UK’s long-term competitiveness. With construction now under way, Helm @ Immingham is set to become a crucial industrial hub for SMEs and a cornerstone of ABP’s wider vision for the Humber region. The scheme represents a significant vote of confidence in the area’s economic future and reinforces its strategic importance for national supply chains and international trade. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals