Developer Fiera Real Estate has formed a major joint venture with the Universities Superannuation Scheme to launch a new UK-focused industrial development platform. The partnership will see USS commit around £500m to the venture, which has been established with an initial five-year term. The joint venture will target individual acquisitions of up to £50m, focusing on the development of prime small-to-mid-box industrial assets in strategically located urban markets across the UK. The platform will be managed by Chris Button, head of investment management for Europe at Fiera Real Estate, and will concentrate on brownfield and established employment sites. The ambition is to deliver multi-let urban industrial schemes of up to 250,000 sq ft that respond to strong occupier demand for modern, well-located space. Fiera Real Estate said the joint venture will draw on its operating partner model and its track record in delivering ground-up development projects, with the aim of building a market-leading logistics portfolio. Sustainability will be a central theme, with schemes designed to meet high ESG standards and align with the evolving priorities of occupiers. Charlie Allen, head of European real estate at Fiera Real Estate, said the platform is intended to address demand for contemporary industrial assets that support sustainability objectives, improve supply-chain resilience and enhance carbon performance. He added that favourable market dynamics, pricing conditions and the continued digitalisation of the economy underpin the long-term investment case for UK logistics and urban industrial property. Alex Turner, head of property at Universities Superannuation Scheme, said the partnership builds on USS’s established presence in the industrial sector. He noted that the scheme already has a £1.5bn industrial portfolio and brings deep sector expertise to the venture. The joint venture is already progressing, with two prime sites under offer in South East England. Together, the schemes are expected to deliver a combined gross development value in excess of £100m. While financial terms have not been formally disclosed, the partnership signals continued confidence in the UK industrial and logistics market, particularly in well-connected urban locations where supply remains constrained. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Industrial developer Hillwood has secured a 35-acre site in Crewe and is pressing ahead with plans for a major £100m speculative logistics and industrial development. The land, located off David Whitby Way close to Junction 16 of the M6, has been acquired from a subsidiary of the Co-op Group, which has been working in partnership with regeneration specialist Muse. The plots are capable of accommodating around 800,000 sq ft of industrial space and form part of the wider WestonM6 masterplan. WestonM6 spans a total of 64 acres and could ultimately deliver up to 1.3m sq ft of industrial accommodation. Hillwood’s acquisition represents a significant milestone for the project and signals strong confidence in the UK industrial market despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Hillwood said it will invest £100m to deliver the Crewe scheme on a speculative basis, with the development expected to be one of the largest speculative industrial projects to come forward in the UK next year. Bob Tattrie, managing director at Hillwood UK, said the scale and location of the scheme would attract strong occupier demand from across both the Midlands and the North West. He said the site’s proximity to Junction 16 of the M6 makes it particularly well suited to modern logistics and distribution operators seeking high-quality accommodation with excellent motorway connectivity. Muse acted as development manager for the scheme and secured planning permission in 2024. The developer will continue in its role overseeing the delivery of infrastructure works, including the creation of a 26-acre wildlife habitat designed to enhance biodiversity and deliver environmental benefits alongside commercial development. Sarah Chicken, development manager at Muse, said Hillwood’s investment marked an important next phase for WestonM6, reinforcing market confidence in the location and supporting the long-term vision of creating a greener, healthier and more connected business community. She added that the scheme is designed to attract forward-thinking businesses, generate new opportunities for local people and contribute to economic growth in the area. Muse is also expected to progress phase two of the wider WestonM6 masterplan early next year. That phase already benefits from outline planning consent for a further 447,298 sq ft of warehouse space. The masterplan was designed by Aew Architects, with CW Studio acting as landscape architect. Avison Young is advising on planning, Hannan Associates is the MEP services engineer and Integra Consulting is responsible for civil, structural and highways engineering. B8RE has been appointed as letting agent for the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has completed the freehold sale of Poyle 80 to Davies Turner the leading worldwide logistics and freight forwarding solutions provider. Davies Turner already have operations around Heathrow but this acquisition will enable them to own a critical asset as a strategic long-term investment as well as providing the opportunity to optimise their operations in a high specification future proof facility. Poyle 80 is a speculatively developed mid box logistics facility located close to Heathrow Airport, the UK’s number one air freight gateway and a critical distribution corridor for West London and the wider South East. The building provides modern, efficient space well suited to air freight and time sensitive logistics operations being located 1km from the Heathrow Cargo Terminal entrance, and continues Panattoni’s strategy of delivering future proofed assets in supply constrained markets. The sale demonstrates Panattoni’s ability to originate, consent, deliver, and transact high quality developments at speed. Panattoni acquired the site at the end of May 2023, secured planning permission in December 2023, and delivered speculative construction through 2024 and 2025. The freehold sale completed in December 2025, meaning the entire process from acquisition to completion took just over 2.5 years. The transaction is also a further endorsement of Panattoni’s commitment to West London, evidenced by the recent acquisition of the former Symmonds and Hawker site on the North Feltham Industrial site which become Panattoni Park Heathrow. Panattoni continues to identify and bring forward prime logistics land in the region, responding to occupier demand for well located, high specification space with strong sustainability credentials. Tony Watkins, Head of Development South East and London at Panattoni, said: “It was great to work with Davies Turner on such a complex transaction. Their commitment to the deal and the proactive way in which they approached every stage made the process a pleasure. I wish them every success as they expand their operations at Poyle 80. “This is an excellent new facility that will support more sustainable operations. Panattoni remains committed to the West London market and will continue to source high quality sites like Poyle 80 that offer customers the flexibility they need to grow.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Panattoni has expanded its UK logistics pipeline with the acquisition of a 15-acre site at Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton, where it intends to deliver a speculative warehouse scheme with a gross development value of around £75 million. The site, formerly the Baxters Healthcare National Distribution Centre on Salthouse Road, will be redeveloped into a single 340,000 sq ft logistics unit known as Brackmills 340. A planning application for the project is expected to be submitted in the first quarter of 2026, with construction scheduled to start in 2028. Panattoni said the decision to bring the scheme forward speculatively reflects sustained demand in one of the UK’s most established logistics markets. Gregg Titley, Head of Development for the East and West Midlands at Panattoni, described the Brackmills opportunity as a rare chance to deliver a prime, high-quality facility in a market characterised by limited available supply. He said the site’s strategic position, strong transport links, and capacity for flexible design will appeal to both national and regional occupiers seeking sustainable, efficient accommodation. Panattoni highlighted the scheme’s planned ESG features as a key component of its offer, with the building expected to meet high environmental performance standards. The company has continued to expand its footprint across the Midlands in response to growing occupier interest in modern, well-connected distribution space. CBRE advised Panattoni on the acquisition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Kier Property is moving ahead with the transformation of a key site in Sharston after completing demolition works and securing planning approval for its new Trade City and Logistics City scheme. The four-acre site, purchased earlier this year from Electrium, a Siemens subsidiary, is now ready for the construction phase, which is scheduled to begin in early 2026. The redevelopment will deliver close to 100,000 sq ft of modern employment space, replacing ageing industrial units that had reached the end of their operational life. The scheme comprises eight Trade City units ranging from 5,391 to 11,664 sq ft, designed to accommodate small and medium-sized enterprises, trade counters and light industrial occupiers. In addition, a single Logistics City building of 34,584 sq ft will offer contemporary space for operators requiring efficient layouts and strong transport connectivity. Kier has delivered similar schemes elsewhere, including one completed in late 2024, which brought forward a further 94,000 sq ft of new industrial accommodation. The company said the Sharston project will help address ongoing demand for high-quality space within an established commercial area. Leigh Thomas, group managing director at Kier Property, said the completion of demolition and positive planning outcome marked a significant milestone. He added that the new development would provide modern, sustainable premises for occupiers seeking well-connected locations with access to key markets. Savills and JLL have been appointed as joint agents for the scheme. Alex Palfreyman, director at Savills, said the project represents a timely addition to a supply-constrained industrial and trade counter market, offering new options for businesses seeking space in the area. Design work is being led by Horizon Fletcher Rae, while Savills is also advising on planning matters. Full details of the project can be found on Manchester City Council’s planning portal under reference number 143771/FO/2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major planning application has been lodged for West Hartford Park, a 126-acre industrial and commercial scheme near Cramlington that could deliver more than one million square feet of employment space and create around 2,000 jobs in Northumberland. The outline masterplan has been submitted jointly by Arlington Real Estate and Homes England, marking a significant step forward for one of the largest strategic development opportunities in the region. Located just minutes from the deep-sea Port of Blyth, the proposed development is designed to support the port’s continued expansion and forms a key component of the Energy Central Partnership. This initiative positions South East Northumberland as a national centre for offshore and renewable energy, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and AI-driven industries. The Port of Blyth, home to ORE Catapult’s world-leading testing facilities, is working closely with Arlington Real Estate and Homes England to maximise the economic potential of the scheme and attract major occupiers from both the UK and overseas. Despite the marketing campaign not yet being launched, the project has already generated strong interest from several large-scale industrial and logistics businesses. If approved, West Hartford Park is expected to generate over £400m of investment for the North East economy and deliver thousands of high-quality jobs, providing a major boost to local supply chains and long-term regional growth. Dean Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, said submitting the application marks an important milestone in unlocking the site’s full potential. He highlighted that West Hartford Park is the only location in the region capable of accommodating development at this scale, offering the power, infrastructure and connectivity required by major occupiers. Cook added that the project will directly support the growth of offshore and renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics and AI sectors. Councillor Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and cabinet member for business, growth and regeneration, welcomed the news, describing West Hartford Park as the county’s most significant remaining employment allocation in the current local plan. He said maximising its potential is crucial to attracting future investment and creating new job opportunities in the area. Martin Lawlor OBE, chief executive of the Port of Blyth, added that the partnership approach will help bring forward much-needed capacity for port-related development while acting as a catalyst for broader economic growth across the region. The submission of the planning application marks the start of the next phase in bringing West Hartford Park to fruition, with the scheme set to play a central role in strengthening Northumberland’s position within the UK’s energy and advanced manufacturing landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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