Padrock has strengthened its presence in the South East with the acquisition of a 17-acre site in Borehamwood, paving the way for a significant new multi-let industrial and logistics development. The Hertfordshire site, located off Watford Road adjacent to Centennial Park, benefits from outline planning consent for a 245,000 sq ft scheme. Plans propose the delivery of 13 high-quality units, ranging in size from 10,500 sq ft to 130,000 sq ft, targeting a mix of logistics, trade counter and light industrial occupiers. With an estimated gross development value of £120 million, the scheme reflects continued investor confidence in well-located urban industrial assets, particularly those positioned close to London and major transport infrastructure. The site sits in a highly strategic location, with direct access to the A1 and within close proximity to the M1 and M25, offering strong connectivity across the capital and wider region. A reserved matters application is expected to be submitted shortly, with construction anticipated to commence in autumn this year. Completion of the development is targeted for late 2027. The scheme is being designed to meet modern occupier requirements, with a focus on flexibility, high specification and sustainability. Units are expected to achieve strong environmental credentials, aligning with growing demand for energy-efficient industrial space. Mark Symonds, partner at Padrock, said the acquisition forms part of the company’s wider strategy to expand within London’s multi-let industrial market. He highlighted Borehamwood’s appeal as a key urban location, noting its accessibility and suitability for businesses requiring efficient distribution routes into central London. Padrock was advised on the acquisition by M1 Agency, Lambert Smith Hampton and Simmons & Simmons, while the vendor was represented by JLL. The deal underlines the ongoing momentum within the urban logistics sector, where constrained land supply and rising occupier demand continue to drive development activity and investment across key locations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Constellation Cold Logistics has unveiled plans for a major £80m redevelopment of its facility at Park Lane Industrial Estate in Wolverhampton, warning that failure to secure planning consent could trigger a full relocation of its operations from the city. The company has submitted proposals to City of Wolverhampton Council for a new 108,900 sq ft cold storage warehouse, forming the first phase of a wider investment programme aimed at modernising what it describes as an “outdated” site. The scheme would introduce a 24-hour operation, create 37 jobs and double on-site capacity to 40,000 pallets, significantly enhancing the firm’s regional logistics capability. CCL, which acquired the Park Lane site in 2023, said substantial upgrades are essential, with parts of the existing estate dating back to the 1950s and last refurbished more than three decades ago. In planning documents, the business makes clear the strategic importance of the project, stating that without approval for the new cold store, none of the planned investment phases would proceed. The company added that the site was effectively purchased for land value alone, with existing buildings considered unsuitable for long-term operational needs. CCL also indicated that alternative locations have been assessed, but none locally can accommodate the required footprint. As a result, refusal of the application could lead to the relocation of the entire facility elsewhere within the Black Country, potentially beyond the local authority boundary. The proposals mark a scaled but still significant evolution from earlier plans submitted in late 2024, which outlined a £90m investment and a major expansion in storage capacity. Those proposals were withdrawn, but the current application maintains a strong economic case, with the company highlighting both job creation and supply chain benefits. If approved, the new facility could be operational by summer 2027, providing a modern, energy-efficient cold storage hub designed to support growing demand across food logistics and temperature-controlled supply chains. The decision now rests with planners, with the outcome set to determine whether Wolverhampton retains a key industrial occupier and secures a major injection of investment into its logistics infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Contractors are preparing to bid for a £30m landmark logistics project at London Gateway, where plans are advancing for a 12-storey automated container storage facility at the major Thames-side port. The scheme, known as BOXBAY, will deliver a next-generation, high-density storage system for empty containers within the port’s existing MT Park area in Thurrock. Once complete, the structure will rise to around 55 metres in height, with a footprint of approximately 323 metres by 159 metres, making it one of the most technically ambitious industrial buildings of its kind in the UK. Procurement for the project is now underway, with contractors invited to participate in a competitive flexible tender process. A shortlist of bidders will be selected before final submissions are assessed on a 60:40 split between price and quality, with contract award expected in July. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly afterwards, with a two-year delivery programme. The project presents a complex engineering challenge, combining heavy civil engineering works with a substantial structural steel package. More than 15,000 tonnes of steelwork will be required, alongside around 50,000 sq m of cladding and a 46,500 sq m roof. Groundworks will also be extensive, involving the installation of over 5,000 precast piles, each approximately 28 metres in length, to support a 1.2 metre deep reinforced concrete raft foundation. The contractor will additionally deliver a full suite of infrastructure works, including drainage, power, firewater systems, IT networks and heavy-duty external pavements, as well as associated ancillary structures. A defining feature of the development will be its integration of advanced automation. The building will house 15 automated storage and retrieval machines operating along around 3km of rail, although the specialist systems themselves will be supplied separately. One of the key challenges will be delivering the project within a fully operational port environment. This will require careful sequencing, logistics planning and strict safety management to ensure ongoing terminal operations are not disrupted. The BOXBAY system is designed to significantly increase storage density and improve operational efficiency compared with traditional container stacking methods, helping to reduce congestion and maximise the use of available land. The project forms part of wider ongoing investment at London Gateway, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s most advanced logistics and port infrastructure hubs, and highlighting the growing role of high-specification, automated industrial facilities in modern supply chains. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Durham County Council Gives Green Light For Extra 3M Sq Ft Citrus Durham has secured planning consent from Durham County Council for the next £340M investment at its Integra 61 mixed-use development at J61 of the A1(M). Approval has been granted for an extension to the west of the Integra 61 scheme to accommodate a further 3 million sq ft of employment space. The plans for the second phase follow the success of the existing £400M Integra 61 development, where 90% of the 3m sq ft of developable space is already complete. The major investment into the second phase has the potential to create some 300 new jobs throughout the build resulting in up to £30m in additional economic output (GVA) into the economy each year. Operationally the development could support c3000 jobs once operational dependant on occupiers, generating up to £100m of additional economic output (GVA) into the economy each year. The outline planning consent allows for a range of storage/distribution and manufacturing units of varying sizes, to reflect market demand from regional businesses as well as those looking to invest in premises in the region. Now that the fundamental development principles of bringing a scheme forward have been approved, later reserved matters applications will evolve the exact design and scale, following the principles now established. The proposed development will, dependant on speed of uptake and demand, require the delivery of the Bowburn Development Route (relief road) in conjunction with Durham County Council and other stakeholders. Integra 61 is already home to Amazon’s 2m sq ft fulfilment centre, a further 640,000 sq ft of speculative logistics space at Connect at Integra 61 and an impressive roadside portfolio including Costa and Greggs along with an incoming £4 million EG On The Move petrol station with a convenience store and separate Starbucks drive-thru. Tesla has also installed 19 new Superchargers on site. Construction is well underway on Marton Care’s new 73 bedroom care home facility to complement the 260 new homes already developed by Persimmon and Bellway. James Taylor, Regional Director at Citrus, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured outline planning consent, which is a significant milestone and the culmination of a long-held vision to expand Integra 61 and build on our successes across two phases, together once complete creating one of the region’s largest employment destinations. We’d like to thank the many stakeholders that continue to support us on this journey and we look forward to delivering this exciting phase with our partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A 411,470 sq ft grade A distribution unit at Gateway 4, Doncaster has been let to Danish global logistics leader A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) in a deal completed in just seven days. The landlord, CBRE Investment Management (“CBRE IM”) was advised by real estate advisory firm CBRE. The letting of the high-specification unit, prominently located adjacent to Junction 4 of the M18, reflects strong demand for prime, large-scale, fitted logistics space across South Yorkshire and the wider Yorkshire region. Gateway 4 offers best-in-class specification, including 15m eaves height, extensive yard depths, a strong power supply and excellent connectivity to the UK’s strategic road and rail networks, making it ideally suited to modern distribution requirements. Maersk, one of the world’s leading integrated logistics companies and the second largest container shipping operator globally, will use the facility to further enhance its UK logistics and distribution capabilities. Rosie Hulbert, UK Industrial and Logistics Director, CBRE Investment Management said: “We’re delighted to welcome Maersk to Gateway 4, Doncaster. This deal underscores CBRE IM’s operator capabilities, having completed the letting in just seven days, and is a direct result of the close relationships we have with the occupiers across our portfolio. We look forward to supporting more businesses seeking strategic, well‑connected locations both within our standing portfolio and our extensive portfolio of land under development.” Mike Baugh, Head of the Leeds Office, CBRE said: “Completing a transaction of this scale within just seven working days is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the strong landlord–tenant relationship demonstrated between CBRE IM and Maersk.  This letting highlights the continued demand from occupiers for high‑specification, fitted logistics space, and we are delighted to have supported CBRE IM in securing such a high‑calibre tenant as Maersk.” Gateway 4 forms part of a key logistics corridor, benefiting from immediate access to the M18 and proximity to major distribution hubs including iPort Rail. CBRE’s Industrial team in Leeds acted on behalf of CBRE IM in the letting, alongside CPP. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Retail giant Next is pressing ahead with a significant expansion of its UK logistics infrastructure, committing more than £300m to new warehouse development at its established Elmsall complex in West Yorkshire. The scheme includes plans for a new 1.2 million sq ft distribution facility, known as E4, which has already secured planning consent. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with phased delivery from 2029 and full operational capability targeted early in the next decade. The development forms part of a wider acceleration of Next’s warehouse investment programme, driven by sustained growth in online sales and increasing pressure on existing capacity. The retailer reported that web sales have grown by 28 per cent over the past two years, significantly outpacing earlier forecasts of 10 per cent. At present, the Elmsall site comprises three major distribution buildings, including the recently delivered E3 facility, which added around 50 per cent to the group’s boxed storage capacity. However, stronger-than-expected demand, alongside shifts in product mix and stockholding strategies, has led to higher utilisation levels than originally planned. Next said that warehouse occupancy has already approached peak levels, prompting the decision to bring forward further phases of development to maintain operational efficiency and avoid congestion. Additional short-term capacity will be created through expansion works and the use of nearby facilities, ahead of the longer-term delivery of the new E4 building. The proposed E4 warehouse is expected to increase overall capacity at the Elmsall complex by at least 50 per cent and support up to £2.5bn of additional sales once fully operational. The wider investment programme, totalling £307m over the next three years, will also enhance automation, storage capability and distribution performance across the network. Alongside its logistics expansion, Next continues to report strong financial performance, with pre-tax profits rising to £1.2bn for the year to January 2026. The company said the investment in infrastructure will play a critical role in supporting long-term growth, particularly as international sales continue to outperform the domestic market. The expansion reflects a broader trend across the retail sector, where major operators are investing heavily in large-scale logistics assets to meet evolving consumer expectations around speed, availability and reliability. For Next, the Elmsall development represents a cornerstone of its future supply chain strategy, ensuring the business is equipped to handle continued growth in e-commerce while maintaining efficiency across its UK operations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Colliers represented Asda in the transaction  The 322,198 sq ft warehouse, located on the Wheatlea Industrial Estate, is sold with full vacant possession. Prime Box will act as development manager and, together with JD.com, is looking to bring forward a full refurbishment of the asset. The deal forms part of Prime Box’s strategy to acquire and reposition assets across the UK. John Sullivan, director in the Industrial & Logistics team at Colliers, comments: “We are pleased to have disposed of the distribution centre for Asda as part of its rationalisation strategy. The North West continues to offer some of the best located warehouses for distribution across the UK and there’s a real depth of demand for value-add opportunities.” Rob Butterworth, Head of Estates at Asda, added: “Wigan has not been a part of our supply chain for a number of years and following the end of a tenancy last year, it made sense to release the property back to the market. We’re pleased to have worked with Colliers in the disposal of the site.” Rock Real Estate and ACRE Capital Real Estate advised Prime Box. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading commercial property developer, Stoford has completed a bespoke manufacturing facility for MiTek at Worcester Six Business Park. The 278,048 sq ft building consolidates MiTek’s UK and European operations, serving as the business’ EMEA headquarters. Delivered by main contractor Benniman, the development is the first to be delivered on the southern extension. Completion follows a ribbon cutting ceremony which was attended by MiTek Chairman and CEO, Mark Thom who travelled from the United States for the occasion. Stoford directors Edward Peel and Alex Morgan, and senior dignitaries from both Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council were also present. James Morgan, Managing Director at MiTek: “Opening our home at Worcester Six marks a new chapter in MiTek’s journey as an offsite construction enabler. This facility establishes our European hub for streamlining design, manufacturing, and innovation, and offers a collaborative space where partners across the industry can co-create solutions that accelerate timber construction and raise standards for everyone.” Edward Peel, Director at Stoford: “MiTek’s decision to establish its EMEA headquarters at Worcester Six is significant for the region. It further strengthens Worcestershire’s reputation as a hub for international business. We’re extremely proud to have achieved practical completion on this state-of-the-art facility which will support new jobs, attract long-term investment, and contribute meaningfully to the region’s economic growth for years to come.” Councillor Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Business and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, said: “This is great news for Worcestershire and for local people. MiTek choosing to base its European headquarters here shows the confidence global companies have in our area. Developments like this bring skilled jobs, investment and long-term benefits for the local economy.” Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon District Council and Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “Securing one of the largest business developments the county has seen in many years reflects the strength of Worcester Six as a location and is a sign of confidence in Wychavon and Worcestershire as a whole. MiTek’s decision to base its EMEA headquarters here brings high-value jobs, long-term investment and international visibility, reinforcing Wychavon’s reputation as a place where ambitious businesses can grow and succeed.” Worcester Six is a high-quality business park, located off junction 6 of the M5, that has already attracted a number of world class businesses to the region, including: Alliance Flooring Distribution, IONOS, ZwickRoell, Kohler Mira, Sierra Engineering, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Super Smart Service, Stop Start Logistics and Bidfood. For details about availability at Worcester Six, please contact the schemes retained agents: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com or Tom Arnold at Colliers – tom.arnold@colliers.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals