Construction work has started on site to deliver parcel delivery firm DPD’s major distribution centre at a new £250 million business park in the North East, joint venture developer and investor Richardson Barberry announced today. DPD has signed a 25-year lease on a 63,000 sq ft warehouse unit on an eight-acre site at Forrest Park, a joint venture between Durham County Council and local landowners the Forrest family, located next to Junction 59 of the A1(M) at Newton Aycliffe, Durham. The new hub is expected to safeguard 125 jobs for County Durham and generate up to another 250 jobs as part of the new built-to-suit DPD building at Forrest Park. Yorkshire-based main contractor Caddick Construction has been appointed by Richardson Barberry and work has now started on site. A ground-breaking ceremony was staged to mark the start of work on the site. Those attending included Councillor Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, Jon Robinson, director at Richardson Barberry, Greg Kirby, project manager at Richardson Barberry, Jamie Anderson of DPD, Jason Forrest, representative of the Forrest Family, Christian Pape, business property director, Durham County Council, Mark Lee, strategic facilities manager, Durham County Council, Steve Ford, director of Caddick Construction, Steve Bell, operations director at Caddick, Michael Dennison, project manager at Caddick and Jake Clifton, of Aecom. Richardson Barberry secured reserve matters planning consent for the state-of-the-art Grade-A building which will be built with sustainability in mind to BREEAM “Excellent” standards. Jon Robinson, development director for Barberry, said: “This is a groundbreaking moment for the North East, Forrest Park, DPD and Richardson Barberry where development work has now started on site, developing DPD’s new regional distribution hub and delivering economic growth and new jobs for the region. This is the second deal at Forrest Park and it’s fantastic to see the park continue to take shape. It has been a pleasure working with the Caddick team and we are making great progress and on track for practical completion of our new DPD facility in the summer of 2026. “Our major pre-let deal with DPD – an internationally recognised occupier – demonstrates the quality of our development at Forrest Park and has enabled us to open up the site and create additional estate infrastructure and development-ready plateaus for occupiers to fast-track growth. “The site’s connectivity and proximity to the motorway junction, nearby demographic and availability of labour has proved to be a major attraction to potential occupiers who have shown interest in Forrest Park and we hope to share information relating to our next occupier transaction soon.  We can deliver building opportunities on both freehold and leasehold terms from 30,000 sq ft up to one million sq ft. Newton Aycliffe is a highly attractive location for a range of major businesses due to its access to a skilled labour demographic and it is testament to the quality of Forrest Park that we have agreed pre-let terms with such a major occupier as DPD.” Louise Ferguson, head of property for DPD Group UK Ltd, said: “Forrest Park is a key location for us and it is exciting to see construction work start on site. Our new purpose-built distribution centre will enable us to expand our team to meet the growing demand locally and provide the best possible service to the area. “The new facility is part of the ongoing investment in our infrastructure as we continue to modify and expand our nationwide network of over 80 regional sorting centres to ensure we have the capacity and the speed required to run a premium nationwide, seven day a week, delivery service. We are very much looking forward to working with Richardson Barberry on this project.” Cllr Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to see work starting at the multi-million-pound Forrest Park, which is set to be a major employer in the region, creating more than 3,000 jobs. DPD is a leading international organisation, and we are pleased to know that this 25-year-lease will safeguard 125 jobs in our county and provide a huge boost to the local economy. “A lot of planning and hard work has gone into this development, so it’s exciting to see the first steps of the project taking place. We’d like to thank all our partners for their continued dedication and support.” Paul Dodsworth, Caddick Construction Group’s managing director, said: “We’re seeing significant investments in the industrial and logistics sector as our project pipeline continues to grow across the North East, and key to this is our appointment by Richardson Barberry to deliver this phase of Forrest Park. Our role in the expansion of the Durham business park also includes Caddick Civil Engineering, becoming the biggest contract to be delivered by our specialist civils business since launching in the North East region. “To help us achieve the highest standards in construction we’re working with a network of excellent regional supply chain partners, not only to provide a high-quality and efficient build but to fuel the regional economy.” Richardson Barberry has secured detailed planning consent for a development of eight warehouse units at Forrest Park with £14 million already invested on preparing the site for development. Durham County Council approved the company’s plans for the first phase development of 830,500 sq ft of warehouse/logistics space on 42-acres of the 116-acre site at Forrest Park. Forrest Park (Newton Aycliffe) Limited, a joint venture between Durham County Council and local landowners the Forrest family, signed a development agreement with Richardson Barberry. Over the next 10 years the park could provide up to 1.8 million sq ft of industrial space and create more than 3,000 jobs, boosting County Durham’s economy by almost half a billion pounds. Overall, the development will extend Aycliffe Business Park to become the largest in the North East and will accommodate a range of business, industrial, warehouse and trade units, roadside restaurants and retail space next to the A1(M). A roadside retail development by Euro Garages, including a petrol filling station, a convenience store and a KFC drive-thru restaurant, has already been built on the first plot at the site. As part of Geopost,

Options Greathire, a leading provider of luxury event furnishings, is expanding its presence at SEGRO Park North Feltham by taking an additional 20,000 sq ft of industrial space The company, known for its statement tableware and furniture for hire, already occupies an adjacent 30,400 sq ft unit and will now strengthen its commitment to the West London location. SEGRO is refurbishing the unit to high standards, meeting the customer’s specific operational requirements. In line with the developer’s commitment to Champion low-carbon growth, the facility incorporates a range of sustainability features. These include existing PV panels that support on-site renewable energy generation, as well as infrastructure for EV charging, which has been installed as part of customer-led upgrades to support more sustainable commuting. An electric boiler has also been introduced to provide a lower-carbon heating option, while retaining gas to maintain operational flexibility. The new lease brings SEGRO Park North Feltham’s occupancy to 97%, underscoring the continued demand for high-quality industrial and logistics space in key London corridors. Bernard Aherne, Managing Director, at Options Greathire, said: “We are delighted to have secured additional space within SEGRO Park North Feltham. As we continue our significant growth and embark on an ambitious five-year plan, this additional warehouse space is fundamental to our ambition. I am pleased to continue our excellent relationship with SEGRO.” Gareth Baker, Director, Western Corridor at SEGRO, said: “It’s fantastic to support Options Greathire as it continues to grow its footprint at SEGRO Park North Feltham. The expansion is a testament to the strength of its business and the ongoing demand for well-located, high-quality industrial space.  “We’re proud to play a role in our customer’s success and to see continued positive momentum in the West London market.” SEGRO Park North Feltham is a highly sought-after West London industrial estate with unrivalled connectivity to Central London and Heathrow. Offering flexible and high-quality spaces from 4,000 sq ft, SEGRO Park North Feltham is home to a diverse range of businesses, big and small. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Peel Waters has submitted three planning applications to Wirral Council for the next phase of its Wirral Waters regeneration, setting up a fresh wave of employment space at Mea Park West. The largely vacant brownfield site, on the corner of Wallasey Bridge Road and Beaufort Road, is earmarked for advanced manufacturing, logistics and innovation uses, and sits within the Wirral Waters Freeport area. The proposals cover enabling infrastructure across four plots: site remediation to address historic dockside conditions, three new access roads to improve circulation, an on-site energy sub-station to shore up power capacity, and sustainable urban drainage systems to manage runoff and build climate resilience. Alongside this groundwork, Peel Waters is seeking permission to deliver a 45,000 sq ft manufacturing and logistics unit on a speculative basis, backed by £16m of investment. In total, the four plots at Mea Park West are planned to yield around 171,400 sq ft of new employment floorspace. This will sit alongside the conversion of the 42,000 sq ft Mobil building into a factory for building components and prefabricated elements, strengthening regional supply chains and supporting modern methods of construction. The mix of new-build and adaptive reuse reflects a pragmatic approach to regeneration: bring redundant assets back into productive use while offering modern, flexible space for incoming occupiers. Freeport status adds to the site’s appeal, with potential tax incentives and customs reliefs for eligible businesses. That package could prove decisive for manufacturers with high upfront capex or logistics operators planning significant fit-out, particularly where speed to market matters. A speculatively built first unit is intended to capture that demand and signal confidence in the location. Richard Mawdsley, director of development at Wirral Waters, said: “This planning application represents an important step forward in the delivery of Mea Park West – a key employment hub within Wirral Waters. By creating the infrastructure and high-quality space for a wide range of modern manufacturing and logistics businesses, we can attract new investment, support local supply chains, and deliver hundreds of new jobs for the immediate area. It’s another strong signal that Wirral Waters is gathering real momentum.” If approved, the enabling works would unlock phased delivery across the plots, moving Mea Park West from concept to construction and accelerating the wider Wirral Waters vision. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) has been appointed by Panattoni to deliver a major new industrial and logistics facility at Panattoni Park Swindon, marking the company’s first scheme with the developer in the South West region. The design and build contract set to complete in January 2026, will see McLaren deliver Unit 4, a 545,414 sq. ft state of the art warehouse and distribution facility at the former Honda site in Swindon. The project is already well underway with the steel works completed and roofing and cladding progressing well. The scheme will include two storeys of office accommodation and a decked car park, along with all associated site and external works including roads, service yards, car parking, hard and soft landscaping, drainage and building services. Set to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+ (offices) / A (warehouse) ratings, the scheme will target net zero carbon for upfront carbon emissions, with a performance goal of under 300kgCO₂/m². Historically, the site was used as brownfield land before being an airfield during World War II, and then later it was redeveloped for car manufacturing by Honda in the late 20th century. This regeneration is part of Panattoni’s wider plan to bring new life and jobs to the area following the closure of Honda’s operations in 2021. The project team comprises UMC Architects as the architect, KAM Project Consultants as the quantity surveyor, and BWB Consulting as the structural and civil engineer. Construction CDM Services is appointed as the principal designer, with C3 Design Approvals overseeing building control. Panattoni Park Swindon is poised to deliver high-quality industrial space in a location with excellent connectivity and legacy infrastructure, further strengthening Swindon’s position as a key logistics hub in the South West. Luke Arnold, Regional Director at McLaren Midlands & North, said of the contract award: “We’re extremely proud to be working with Panattoni on this flagship industrial scheme in Swindon. It’s a significant step in our growth across the South West and an opportunity to deliver a building of real environmental ambition. Our team is focused on meeting the fast-track programme and supporting Panattoni’s vision for the site’s transformation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Over 6,000 tonnes of structural steel will be installed as part of the £108million build project set to create 1,000 new jobs. McLaren Construction Midlands and North has marked a significant milestone at the new state-of-the-art Distribution Centre for leading UK retailer, TJ Morris Ltd, with a steel signing ceremony at the Unity Yorkshire development in Doncaster. The event commemorated the completion of the first phase of structural steelwork – the towering 43-metre High Bay section, which is a major engineering landmark in the development of the 829,000 sq. ft advanced automated facility. The steelwork, designed and delivered by Caunton Engineering Ltd, represents the scale and ambition of the project. To date, the structure has involved; 2,606 holding down bolts, 142,452 structural bolts, 55,789 metres and 5,395 tonnes of hot rolled steel, 112 metres and 793 tonnes of cold rolled steel, and 33,558 welded fittings. With steelwork on the Low Bay section – which stands at 28 metres – now underway, the project continues to progress ahead of schedule, moving towards its completion time of October 2026. The project has already achieved several critical milestones, including completion of approximately 80% of all building foundations, completion of a 16-week earthworks programme and installation of 14,000 precast piles and 8,000 rigid inclusion piles. Once complete, the facility will serve 300+ Home Bargains stores nationwide, forming the cornerstone of TJ Morris’ long-term logistics and distribution strategy. The milestone was celebrated onsite with representatives from TJ Morris Ltd, McLaren Construction, City of Doncaster Council, Business Doncaster, and project partners Waystone Hargreaves Land, and AtkinsRéalis. In addition to its commercial impact, the project underscores McLaren’s commitment to local engagement and sustainability. Key initiatives include a highly localised supply chain, with 70 percent of suppliers currently located within 50 miles of the site, innovation applied to the steel requirements to ensure the scheme is as economical as possible, the use of borrow pits and local fill materials significantly reducing transport emissions, and the sponsorship of a local football team, including full kit provision. Located at Unity Connect, the facility is part of the wider Unity Yorkshire masterplan – a transformative mixed-use regeneration scheme that spans over 250 hectares, delivering homes, jobs, and infrastructure across the region. The Unity scheme is also home to a dedicated Employment Academy, an initiative funded by Waystone Hargreaves Land and delivered in partnership with Business Doncaster aimed at supporting recruitment, training, and access to employment opportunities for local residents. Gary Cramp, Managing Director at McLaren Construction, said: “This is a very exciting day for us and our team and partners. As a business we are so proud to be involved in milestones like this to celebrate an impressive flagship project that will create 1,000 new jobs and enhance logistics capabilities across the region. “The steel signing not only marks the physical progress of this significant build but also reflects the spirit of collaboration across stakeholders, and the enormous economic potential the facility will bring to Doncaster. Thank you to all of the team for their exceptional effort, and to everyone for your input and being here today to mark this occasion.” Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “This steel signing marks a major milestone not just for the TJ Morris Distribution Centre, but for Doncaster’s growth story. The Distribution Centre is not only creating 1,000 new jobs and strengthening our local economy — it’s also championing local suppliers including British Steel and demonstrating sustainable practices. “This development is a shining example of how investment and collaboration can deliver real benefits for our communities. I’m proud to see Doncaster leading the way in innovation, opportunity, and inclusive growth and look forward to the continued progress of this landmark scheme.” Neil Kelson, Head of Logistics at TJ Morris added: “We’re delighted to see this landmark scheme moving at pace and the steel signing ceremony for the new Distribution Centre represents a key step in our logistics strategy, enabling us to serve our customers more efficiently and support our expansion plans, while creating significant employment opportunities for the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ask Real Estate (Ask) has acquired the final 7.8 acre plot at Manchester Business Park close to Manchester Airport, from ARC.  The Manchester-based developer plans to build 9 prime last mile logistics units on the site, delivering circa 114,000 sq ft of space. The high-quality units will range in size from 6,700 sq ft to 21,646 sq ft and will appeal to a range of businesses including those in hi-tech industries, aviation, logistics and warehousing. Situated in a prime South Manchester location with immediate access to the M56 and A555 the site will provide occupiers with excellent connectivity locally and regionally with global connections via Manchester Airport. The units will deliver the highest sustainability and smart credentials, will be BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and designed to be net zero in operation. The development of the final plot at Manchester Business Park will complete the Park. Commenting on the acquisition, which was funded by Ask using internal resources, Managing Director John Hughes said: “Manchester Business Park is in a highly prominent location, within Manchester Airport’s strategic employment site and the thriving North West ecosystem of technology, manufacturing, distribution and digital businesses. This is a prime location for developing high quality logistics and industrial facilities which will have exemplary sustainability credentials and superb connectivity through the airport and adjacent motorway networks.” The development sits at Junction 5 of the M56 alongside the £1bn MIX MANCHESTER development zone, for which a strategic regeneration framework has been approved to bring forward up to 2 million sq ft of advanced manufacturing space, R&D labs and office space as well as hotels, leisure facilities and public areas. John Hughes continues: “The South Manchester market is under supplied, particularly in the small to mid-sized sector of the logistics market. These new facilities will deliver much-needed space to complement the tech and R&D spaces being developed at MIX MANCHESTER.” Ask will undertake a public consultation on its plans this autumn and aims to submit a planning application for the proposed development in Q4, with an aim to start on site next year and deliver by summer 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clowes Developments has received reserved matters planning consent from Ashfield District Council to deliver over 500,000 sq ft of new commercial and industrial space at Harrier Park, Hucknall. The milestone approval paves the way for the development of six high-quality commercial/industrial units ranging in size from 60,000 sq ft (5,574 sq m) to 206,000 sq ft (19,138 sq m). The units will be delivered across two plots within the 31-acre site, which is currently undergoing remediation and preparatory works to ready the former brownfield land for its transformative redevelopment. The planning consent follows Clowes’ successful acquisition of the historic Harrier Park site in 2024 and the recent launch of the comprehensive, multi-million-pound enabling groundworks programme. Located on the former Rolls-Royce aerospace site, Harrier Park represents one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in Nottinghamshire. The new development will support local economic growth and job creation, bringing prime industrial and logistics space to a high-demand regional market. Clowes Developments is now well-positioned to commence delivery of the newly approved units at Harrier Park. The development is designed to accommodate a diverse range of occupiers, including those in the manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors. Kevin Webster, Associate Director at Clowes Developments, commented:“ Securing planning permission is a significant step forward for Harrier Park. We’re transforming a landmark site into a vibrant commercial hub that will deliver lasting economic benefits to Hucknall and the wider Ashfield area. With enabling works already underway, we are committed to progressing the scheme at pace and attracting top-tier occupiers to the development.” Harrier Park is strategically located with excellent connectivity to the M1 and East Midlands Airport. It lies outside the Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy zone and benefits from an established tram network, with a terminus located close by. These advantages make Harrier Park an ideal location for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations in the Midlands. Uniquely, Clowes Developments has also secured a total of 8.1 MVA of power for the site. This substantial capacity will be allocated based on end user requirements, offering a significant power supply for occupiers with high energy demands. Clowes Developments will continue to work closely with Ashfield District Council and other stakeholders as the scheme progresses, with further announcements expected in the coming months. Clowes Developments are working in partnership with FHP Property Consultants and Fisher German to market the site with units available from 60,000 to 206,000sq ft. Opportunities are available on both a freehold and leasehold design-and-build basis. For enquiries, please contact Tim Gilbertson on tim@fhp.co.uk or Rob Champion on rob.champion@fishergerman.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developer Chancerygate and specialist sustainable and impact investor Bridges Fund Management have sold Harlequin Business Park in Hayes, West London, to property investment firm Ableprop. Harlequin Business Park is a 90,000 sq ft sustainable urban logistics development, comprising nine leasehold Grade A units ranging from 5,100 sq ft to 39,700 sq ft. The scheme achieved practical completion in early August this year. All values relating to the transaction are undisclosed. Situated on Southall Lane, in an established industrial location near the Beaver Industrial Estate, International Trading Estate and Western International Market, the scheme benefits from excellent road connectivity with junction three of the M4 motorway less than one mile away and four miles from the A40. The development features electric vehicle charging points with the ability to add more based on future requirements. In addition, all properties feature air-source heat pumps and solar panels on their roofs which provide affordable green energy to run the buildings. The units are also constructed from high-performance insulative materials with controlled air tightness which reduces CO2 emissions and increases energy efficiency. These features have enabled the scheme to achieve an EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent rating and will support it being a net zero carbon for regulated energy scheme. Chancerygate development director, Tom Faulkner, said: “Harlequin Business Park will meet the growing demand from occupiers in the West and Greater London area for flexibly sized, high specification accommodation with strong sustainability credentials. “Its strategic positioning near established industrial locations and key infrastructure connectivity enables occupiers to serve markets easily throughout the locality and the wider South East region. “The sale of Harlequin Business Park to Ableprop also evidences how our product’s characteristics and strategic positioning is attractive to both investors and occupiers.” Founded in 1995, Chancerygate is the UK’s largest urban logistics property developer and investment manager and the only one operating nationwide. The company currently has more than 1.41m sq ft of industrial space under construction or ready for development across 11 sites ranging from Edinburgh to Croydon. Bridges is a specialist sustainable and impact investor. Its property funds focus on sectors that support the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy, including healthcare, housing and sustainable logistics. Henry Pepper, partner at Bridges, said: “The sale of Harlequin Business Park reflects the strong demand for best-in-class, sustainable industrial units that can help occupiers reduce costs and cut emissions. “This EPC A+, BREEAM Excellent development, with its outstanding low-carbon design and environmental performance, is another great example of Bridges and Chancerygate’s ability to identify great sites and deliver best-in-class developments that are attractive to occupiers and onward investors.” For more information visit www.chancerygate.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Winvic Construction has begun work on a 250,000 sq ft warehouse development at Coton Park in Rugby for Newlands Developments, deploying innovative enabling works to tackle complex site conditions. The 60-week programme marks Winvic’s return to Coton Park, where the contractor previously delivered two units on plots 2 and 3. This prior experience of the site’s infrastructure is expected to play a key role in the successful delivery of the latest phase. The single-storey facility will incorporate 15,000 sq ft of office space and will be built using a structural steel, multi-span portal frame, with a clear internal height of 15 metres. It is targeting a BREEAM Excellent certification and an EPC rating of A/A+, underlining its sustainability credentials. One of the most significant enabling works undertaken so far has been the installation of a 34-metre ex-Ministry of Defence tank bridge to span a 457mm high-pressure gas main. The 350-tonne crane lift was a critical step in providing safe access to the development site. To further mitigate the risks posed by the gas infrastructure, Winvic is also constructing a Filcor (polystyrene) road to wrap around a 54-metre-long culvert measuring 4m by 2m. Traditional construction techniques such as cement and compacted fill were deemed unsuitable, as the imposed loads would have compromised the gas main. Winvic is working closely with Cadent Gas to ensure that the solutions not only protect the integrity of the utility but also safeguard operatives during construction. Danny Nelson, managing director of industrial, distribution and logistics at Winvic, commented:“Working with partners, our solution to overcome the complex challenges of this site brought by the gas main highlights our commitment to safety and a collaborative culture.” The project reflects both the scale and complexity of modern warehouse development, where careful planning, innovative engineering and collaboration with infrastructure stakeholders are essential to delivering facilities that meet occupier and sustainability demands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has commenced works on a new state-of-the-art warehouse facility at Coton Park in Rugby, celebrating with an official groundbreaking ceremony. On behalf of Newlands Developments, Winvic has started the 60-week build programme to deliver a 250,000 sq ft single-storey warehouse at the strategically located industrial park, which sits within the UK Golden Triangle of logistics. This project sees Winvic’s return to Coton Park, where the company previously delivered two distribution and logistics units on plots 2 and 3, bringing existing knowledge of the site’s infrastructure to support the successful delivery of the latest phase. The new facility will include 15,000 sq ft of office accommodation and will consist of a structural steel, multi-span portal frame with a height of 15 metres and will target a BREEAM Excellent certification and an EPC rating of A/A+. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by representatives from Winvic and Newlands Developments marked a key milestone and highlighted Winvic’s agility and capability in overcoming complex site challenges early in the programme. As part of the infrastructure and enabling works, Winvic used a 350-tonne crane to install a 34-metre ex Ministry of Defence tank bridge, to span a 457 mm high-pressure gas main. This was a critical element of the works to enable access onto the site which requires crossing the major utility. To further progress works, Winvic is constructing a Filcor (polystyrene) road that will wrap around a 54-metre-long 4m x 2m culvert. Traditional construction methods such as cement and compacted fill were not viable due to the loadings imposed onto the gas main. Winvic and Cadent Gas are working together to develop and implement this solution to ensure the integrity of the gas infrastructure and safety of operatives working on site. Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics at Winvic, said: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Newlands Developments to deliver this at Coton Park, Rugby. “Working with partners, our solution to overcome the complex challenges of this site brought by the gas main, highlights our commitment to safety and a collaborative culture. Marking the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony is always a proud moment, and we now look forward to delivering a high-quality facility that meets our client’s needs and supports continued growth in this key logistics location.” Coton Park is located 3.7 miles from junction 19 of the M1 and fronts the M6, giving direct connectivity to Coventry and Birmingham and other major routes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals