Work is now underway at Bardon III, J20/M1, Leicestershire, where UK real estate investor and developer, Firethorn plan to deliver 947,650 sq ft of Grade-A industrial and logistics space. Having been appointed as the enabling works contractor, BlueEarth Construction has now commenced on-site access and infrastructure works, preparing the site which will be brought forward on a speculative and build-to-suit basis.  Firethorn expects to invest £125 million into the 80.2-acre site, which benefits from detailed planning consent for two units with B2 and B8 use. The recent ‘breaking ground’ ceremony was attended by key local members who played influential roles in seeing the project realised, including the Leader of Leicestershire County Council Dan Harrison alongside Rebecca Henson, Head of the Growth Service at Leicestershire County Council, and Chris Brown, Assistant Director of Planning & Regeneration for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, reflective of the significance of the development to the local economy. Located within the Midlands’ “Golden Triangle”, the site sits at the heart of the UK’s logistics network, providing direct access to the strategic national highway network at Junction 22 of the M1. The new development will follow previous phases delivered by Mountpark, which are now occupied by established distribution and manufacturing businesses, including Amazon, DHL, Eddie Stobart, VF, Vistry, and Pharmacy2U. James Sanders, Head of Industrial and Logistics at Firethorn, said: “Bardon is one of the UK’s most established and sought-after logistics locations, with a strong supply of local labour and direct connectivity to the strategic network making it ideally placed for leading occupiers operating national and international supply chains. “Breaking ground marks a significant step in the development process and a chance to provide recognition to those who played a role in the project coming forward. We’re delighted to mark the occasion and to be working with the BlueEarth team to deliver the first stage of what promises to be a modern, sustainable and high-quality product that will not only respond to a shortage in supply, but deliver lasting economic benefit to the region.” Councillor Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “We’re working hard to build the Leicestershire of the future, with prosperity, jobs and economic growth at the heart. “This £125m investment is significant, offering opportunities for big companies to set up shop, as well as a 37-acre country park and over 2km of walking routes. “Bardon is a top UK location for logistics. We really are leading the way in Leicestershire and we’re shouting from the rooftops that we’re open for business.” Kirk Farrow, Construction Director at BlueEarth Construction Ltd, said: “The entire team at BlueEarth has worked incredibly hard and is absolutely delighted to be progressing this development with Firethorn, following our completion of the preliminary enabling phase with Mountpark. “The site has presented a number of significant challenges, particularly the major overhead cable diversion works required to underground and reroute services around the development. In addition, the design of the large screening bund has been a very complex and demanding aspect of the project. “We at BlueEarth Construction Ltd are extremely proud to be working in partnership with Firethorn to help bring this development forward.” The new development targets practical completion in late 2027 and will deliver a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating with net-zero carbon in construction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Prologis UK has completed the letting of DC2 at Central Park, Park Royal to film and television equipment specialist One Stop Films, bringing the estate to full occupancy. The London-based business has signed a five-year lease on the 18,102 sq ft unit, which it will use for equipment rental operations, deliveries and studio space. The deal reflects growing demand from businesses supporting the UK’s film and television production sector for well-connected operational space within London. DC2 recently underwent a refurbishment programme as part of Prologis’ ongoing commitment to enhance customer experience, improve building quality and support long-term sustainability ambitions across its portfolio. Daniel Bishop, Co-Owner at One Stop Films: “The film and television industry relies on specialist equipment, responsive customer service and the ability to operate close to productions across the UK. Central Park gives us a well-connected base from which to support our customers, while providing the flexibility to expand our operations as the business continues to evolve.” Gillian Scarth, Leasing Director at Prologis UK: “Achieving full occupancy at Central Park is a significant milestone and demonstrates the continued demand for modern, well-located industrial space in Park Royal. Through targeted refurbishment works, we’ve enhanced the quality of the estate and created space that meets the evolving needs of customers such as One Stop Films.” Park Royal remains one of London’s most established industrial locations, providing strong connectivity into Central London and access to major transport infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has commenced construction at Panattoni Worksop 460, a 462,000 sq ft speculative logistics and manufacturing development at Manton Wood Distribution Park, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The scheme is scheduled for completion in Q1 2027. Panattoni Worksop 460 will be delivered to the highest sustainability standards, targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings and achieving net zero carbon in construction. The development incorporates a range of sustainability features including roof-mounted photovoltaic solar systems, EV charging, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient lighting. The scheme offers a gross internal area of 462,000 sq ft, comprising 441,699 sq ft of warehouse accommodation, Grade A office space across ground and two upper floors totalling 14,943 sq ft, and a transport area of 5,057 sq ft. The building has been specified to meet the requirements of modern logistics and manufacturing occupiers, with an 18 metre clear internal height, 43 dock doors including 8 Euro dock doors, 4 level access doors, a yard depth of 55 metres, 386 car parking spaces and 48 EV charging points. The site is accompanied by an additional five acres of adjacent land, available to occupiers requiring room for expansion beyond the primary building footprint. Worksop is a well-established logistics destination in North Nottinghamshire, situated at the heart of the UK’s principal distribution corridor. The town sits within easy reach of the M1 (Junction 31) and A1(M), providing direct connectivity to major population centres across the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East. The area is home to major operators including DHL and B&Q, both of which run substantial logistics and distribution facilities nearby, and benefits from a strong local labour pool and competitive rental levels relative to more southern locations. Andy Preston, Senior Development Director at Panattoni, said: ” Worksop punches above its weight as a logistics location. It offers great connectivity and a genuinely strong labour market within commuting distance of Sheffield, Doncaster and Nottingham, and that combination is increasingly difficult to find at this scale. We are seeing real depth of demand from occupiers who need large-format, high-specification space and need it quickly, and this building is designed to meet that requirement from day one. We already have some early engagement from occupiers on the speculative opportunity. For occupiers with longer-term growth ambitions, there is also an additional five acres of land directly adjacent to the site, which could be used for HGV parking or external storage – a flexibility that is increasingly hard to find at this scale and in this location.” The development reflects Panattoni’s continued strategy of speculative delivery in supply-constrained markets, bringing forward high-specification, sustainable assets aligned with long-term occupier demand. For more information, please visit www.panattoni.co.uk/our-properties/worksop/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Two Yorkshire businesses have expanded into new premises at Logistics Hub at Howley Park Estate in Morley, taking more than 17,000 sq ft of industrial space as they grow operations within West Yorkshire. The lettings, completed by J Pullan & Sons Ltd (Pullans), reflect continued demand for well-located industrial accommodation across the region, particularly from occupiers seeking larger operational bases with room to expand and units featuring large service yards. Total Resource (UK) Limited has taken 8,586 sq ft at Unit 7 on a 10-year lease, expanding from its previous Leeds depot. The company supplies traffic management and maintenance equipment across the UK and will use the premises as a combined storage, servicing and office facility. Bespoke office accommodation was constructed by Pullans within the unit to support the company’s operational requirements and future growth plans. At neighbouring Unit 6, comprising 8,488 sq ft, Thermo King UK Limited has expanded and relocated from South Kirkby. The business specialises in the servicing and maintenance of refrigerated units for commercial vehicles and has fitted out the premises to provide workshop space, secure external parking and improved customer vehicle handling facilities. Both businesses cited the estate’s accessibility, extensive yard provision and proximity to Junction 28 of the M62 motorway as key factors in their decision to relocate to Morley. Bruce Strachan, Property Director at Pullans, said:“It’s encouraging to see Yorkshire businesses continuing to invest and expand within the region. Demand remains strong for industrial space that can support a range of operational requirements while also giving occupiers the flexibility to adapt and grow over time. Both businesses were looking for practical facilities that could support day-to-day operations as well as their future plans, and we are pleased that the Logistics Hub units at Howley Park were able to provide that.” James Proctor, Regional Manager at Thermo King UK said:“The facility has proven to be an excellent fit for our business. The combination of workshop space and external parking allows us to respond quickly to customer demand across the region, while also providing a secure and accessible environment for customer vehicles. We also found that having a landlord who understood our operational requirements and could respond quickly during the relocation process made a significant difference in helping us get established smoothly in the new facility.” Laura Winfield, Area Manager at Total Resource (UK) Ltd  added:“Howley Park offers the combination of unit size and yard space that we were looking for as part of our expansion. The motorway access supports our distribution operations across Yorkshire and beyond, while the office accommodation provides a professional environment for both staff and visitors. The move gives us the flexibility and capacity needed to support the next stage of our growth.” Strategically located just outside Leeds adjacent to the M61/M621, Howley Park Estate extends to around 170 acres and provides more than 700,000 sq ft of industrial and commercial accommodation, supporting a broad range of regional and national occupiers including Asda, Currys, DPD, Stax Trade Centres and Walkers Transport. CBRE and Carter Towler are joint agents for the estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A five-unit Grade A industrial and logistics development totalling 192,000 sq ft, designed to deliver high-specification sustainable industrial space in Buckinghamshire. Glencar has been appointed by Newlands to deliver Link, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. The development will comprise five Grade A speculative industrial units totalling approximately 192,000 sq ft and is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality industrial and logistics accommodation in the region. Located at Gatehouse Close, Aylesbury, the scheme will provide flexible industrial and warehouse space built to a high sustainability specification. The development is targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings, reflecting a strong focus on environmental performance, energy efficiency, and long-term operational sustainability. The project will include associated infrastructure and external works, including service yards, car parking, landscaping, ground improvement works, and extensive Section 278 highway upgrades. The units have been designed to accommodate a range of industrial and logistics occupiers, offering modern specification warehouse and employment space in a strategically located South East logistics market. Roy Jones, Managing Director – South at Glencar, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed by Newlands to deliver Link, Aylesbury. This is a high-quality industrial development that aligns strongly with our expertise in delivering sustainable, best-in-class logistics and industrial schemes across the South of England. “The project’s strong sustainability credentials, including its BREEAM Excellent target and EPC A rating, demonstrate the shared ambition of the wider team to deliver future-focused industrial space that meets the evolving needs of occupiers. We look forward to commencing works and working collaboratively with Newlands and the professional team to bring the development forward successfully.” James Miller, Head of Construction at Newlands Developments, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Glencar again and look forward to delivering this project together as part of our upcoming portfolio of mid box schemes.” The project team includes Rame Consulting as PM / EA / QS, AJA Architects, and Burrows Graham as engineer. Construction is scheduled to commence in May 2026, with completion targeted for May 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

SEGRO has signed a new lease agreement with the NHS pathology network covering south west London, supporting the creation of a modern pathology hub at SEGRO Park Redhouse Road in Croydon. The agreement covers 18,444 sq ft of warehouse space across two units. The facility will be used by a network of hospitals including St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. The new hub will provide laboratory space for testing samples collected from around 400 doctors’ practices across Surrey, south London and south west London. By centralising key testing processes, the facility is designed to improve efficiency, speed up turnaround times and reduce pressure on existing hospital pathology laboratories. The move is expected to help GP test samples be processed more quickly, enabling results to be returned to practices significantly faster than at present. It will also support cost savings and free up space within the wider NHS estate. Alex Keith, Director, London at SEGRO, said the agreement demonstrated the wider role modern industrial space can play in supporting essential services. “SEGRO’s purpose is to create the space that enables extraordinary things to happen and this is an absolute exemplar of this in action,” he said. “This new state-of-the-art facility serving the wider south London area will enable significant operational efficiency and cost savings for the various NHS trusts through the centralisation of critically important pathology services.” He added that the project highlighted the versatility of well-located, sustainable warehouse space, from increasing testing volumes and reducing laboratory pressure to accelerating turnaround times and lowering the cost per test. Simon Brewer from South West London Pathology said the facility would help deliver high-quality care while improving how services are organised. “This space is a key part of how we are delivering this in south west London, supporting more efficient laboratory operations, training opportunities and ultimately faster, more reliable results for both clinicians and patients,” he said. SEGRO Park Croydon Redhouse Road is located 10 minutes from Croydon town centre and around 10 miles from both central London and the M25. The development comprises seven BREEAM Excellent units, with remaining space ranging from 9,155 sq ft to 83,827 sq ft. The units also hold EPC A ratings. Sustainability features include photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points and cycle shelters, supporting lower-carbon operations and more sustainable journeys. The NHS lease follows a recent agreement with a leading wholesale and retail grocer, underlining continued demand for high-quality, well-connected industrial space in south London.

Plans for two brand new South West hubs have been revealed by leading logistics network, Pall-Ex Group, as it earmarks an £8 million investment for strengthening its services across the region. The South West peninsula, often known as the ‘final frontier’, has historically been one of the most challenging delivery locations in the UK due to its landscape. In spite of that, the region has been dubbed a ‘logistics hot spot’, with brands like Pall-Ex continuing to see year-on-year growth. Now, businesses throughout the region will soon benefit from the launch of two new facilities in Willand, Devon (Pall-Ex South West), and Launceston in Cornwall (Pall-Ex Logistics), giving them access to a range of haulage services including next-day palletised freight distribution, warehousing and storage. Pall-Ex South West’s 218,000 sq ft hub in Willand, Devon, is expected to be completed by Summer 2026. While existing staff will relocate to the new site—located less than half a mile from the current facility—the expansion is expected to increase its local workforce by 15%, with roles spanning customer service and night planners, to warehouse and forklift operators. Its plans to recruit will enable the site to double its operational limits and process an excess of 60 vehicles per night across the two new sites. Meanwhile, the Launceston hub—a 114,000 sq ft purpose-built facility—is already operational, where it offers increased storage capacity of up to 3,500 pallets and the movement of 650 pallets per day. The successful relocation of its existing team will also be bolstered by a further 10 – 15% growth in its workforce; with roles in warehouse staffing, supervision and management roles soon to be available. In addition to their enhanced service capabilities, both sites will benefit from a series of sustainability-focused features, including all-electric forklift truck fleets, solar panels and green water filtering—additions that will see them meet the highest sustainability ‘BREEAM standards’. While the logistics provider already has existing hubs in the region, these have since reached capacity. This latest investment is a strategic move intended to give the company access to larger, purpose-built spaces, designed to better support its growing customer base. Commenting on the investment, Barry Byers, chief operating officer for Pall-Ex Group, said: “The South West has always been a challenging location for distribution companies. Yet in the past five years, we’ve generated unprecedented growth here, with more and more businesses around the region demanding a reliable and robust logistics network. With that growth, though, comes the need to evolve. That’s why the time feels right to make this significant investment to ensure that our distribution services are up to the challenge. “The last 30 years have been all about adapting and future-proofing the business; whether through supporting our partners around the country, investing in the latest technology to provide them with unparalleled visibility, or by enhancing our regional distribution services. This announcement really is testament to the hard work put in to get us where we are now in the South West, so that we can make sure we’re perfectly positioned to tackle the regional challenges of the next three decades.” News of the investment follows a landmark start to the year for the brand, as it celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since its incorporation three decades ago, Pall-Ex has evolved into a national and international powerhouse, with this latest South West expansion representing the next chapter in its commitment to growth. For more information on Pall-Ex South West, visit https://www.pallexsouthwest.com/ or for further details on Pall-Ex Logistics (Devon & Cornwall), visit: https://www.pallexlogistics.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals