Commercial : Industrial News

Stoford secures funding for British Salt warehouse

Commercial property developer Stoford has secured funding for the construction of a new warehouse for British Salt, the UK’s leading salt manufacturer and part of Tata Chemicals Europe. It has signed a funding agreement with ICG, the global alternative asset manager, for the 184,493 sq ft state-of-the-art warehouse in Middlewich,

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WILTON SECURES PLANNING FOR 2.26M SQ FT AT DONCASTER NORTH

Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year.  The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent

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Barberry nears completion of £35m speculative development

Leading property developer and investor Barberry Industrial is closing in on completion of its £35 million speculative development of three market leading mid-box manufacturing/logistics units at a prime West Midlands business park. Construction at Hilton Cross Business Park, near Wolverhampton, where Barberry is delivering warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft,

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Latest Issue
Issue 338 : Mar 2026

Commercial : Industrial News

Prologis UK’s latest building at Hemel Hempstead is a BREEAM Outstanding record breaker

A brand new distribution centre developed and owned by Prologis UK has achieved the highest sustainability rating of any project in its category. Completed recently, the 233,860 sq. ft. building – known as DC3a – achieved a BREEAM rating of 88.8% (Outstanding). This is the highest rating recorded for a new building assessed under the BREEAM 2018 New Construction Manual (Industrial – Shell and Core). Completed last month, DC3a was built by Prologis UK in partnership with lead contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick. BREEAM has provided a holistic assessment of the development, based on categories focussing on innovation, health & wellbeing, energy, materials, waste, water, transportation, land use & ecology and pollution. The speculative development of DC3a, means that Prologis UK now has more than 770,000 sq. ft. of logistics space at Maylands Business Park. This brings the company’s total development footprint in Hemel Hempstead to more than 1.5m sq. ft. Martin Cooper, Vice President, development management at Prologis UK, said: “We are very proud of this record-breaking BREEAM rating, which underlines the care and commitment that we give to developing buildings that really are best in class and built for the long term. The property has attracted great market interest, not just due to its sustainability credentials, but also due to its excellent location to the east of Hemel Hempstead, close to Junction 8 of the M1, with access to London and the South East.” Stuart Deverill, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s building division, said: “It is extremely satisfying to know that the efforts made to construct this building in the most sustainable way possible have been recognised. This couldn’t have been achieved without Prologis UK’s sustainability vision, and the commitment of our construction partners right across the supply chain.”

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PICK EVERARD SUPPORTING THE UK’S FIRST HVDC CABLE FACTORY IN SCOTLAND

PLANNING permission has been granted on a new manufacturing facility in Scotland – producing HVDC cables for what will be the world’s longest subsea infrastructure for the Morocco – UK power project. The infrastructure forms part of an ambitious initiative that will power seven million UK homes by 2030. Leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has been acting as lead consultant on the project, appointed by HVDC subsea cable manufacturer XLCC. The new facility, in Hunterston, North Ayrshire, will produce four 3,800km long cables, connecting solar and wind energy all the way from the Sahara to the UK, as part of the Xlinks project. Once operational, the brownfield site is expected to support up to 900 jobs, with thousands more generated in the wider supply chain. Santosh Patel, director at Pick Everard said: “We’re excited and proud to be involved in creating a new high tech green industry for the UK and supporting the drive towards Net Zero.” “From a manufacturing perspective, it will see undersea cables created to a length not previously seen, while consumers will be able to benefit from a much lower unit cost for their energy once the project is fully implemented. Net zero requires huge expansion of solar and wind to be a success, and XLCC stands to help deliver in this respect.” XLCC’s manufacturing operation in Hunterston will meet the UK’s growing demand for high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) power transmission. Landowners at Hunterston have thrown their support behind the scheme, with work transfer opportunities expected to be provided for local employees, following the decommissioning of Hunterston’s B power nuclear station after 46 years. As well as acting as lead consultant, Pick Everard has provided complete design services, as well as health and safety consultancy, BIM coordination and BREEAM assessments. Now, the firm is expected to continue to act in a technical advisory capacity, with construction on the new factory expected to commence in early 2023. Mark Colby, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We are focused on delivering better together with our cross-industry partners, achieving excellence in everything we do. This particular project sees us – together with the wider project team – delivering a scheme that benefits everyone from the local community through jobs to the whole planet through its sustainable elements.” Project director for XLCC, Alan Mathers, added: “We look forward to delivering a factory of great local and international importance for HVDC subsea cable. The UK will be positioned as a world leader in the green economy, with the site at Hunterston playing a key role in connecting cheap, green energy from renewables projects around the world.” Pick Everard employs more than 600 staff across its 15 offices, providing a range of project, cost, and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk.

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Stoford secures funding for British Salt warehouse

Commercial property developer Stoford has secured funding for the construction of a new warehouse for British Salt, the UK’s leading salt manufacturer and part of Tata Chemicals Europe. It has signed a funding agreement with ICG, the global alternative asset manager, for the 184,493 sq ft state-of-the-art warehouse in Middlewich, Cheshire, which will enable British Salt and Tata Chemicals Europe to store the high purity salt and sodium bicarbonate products manufactured at its three sites in Cheshire and streamline its packaging and supply chain operations. The funding agreement, the first between Stoford and ICG, comes as Cheshire East Borough Council granted planning permission for the unit, which will be built at the British Salt manufacturing site on Faulkner Drive, Middlewich.  The new warehouse will support Tata Chemicals Europe’s existing operations, storing products destined for the food and pharmaceutical markets and support its future business plans in Cheshire. Edward Peel, Stoford’s Development Manager, said: “Securing funding for this strategically important warehouse for British Salt is great news. The business has ambitious plans to invest in the region it has called home for more than 50 years. Now that funding and planning approval have been agreed, we’re putting plans in place to start construction work as soon as possible and are looking forward to delivering this warehouse.” Building begins in August with a projected completion date by July 2023.  Angus Vause, Sales & Marketing Director of Tata Chemicals Europe, said: “We are delighted that Cheshire East Borough Council has granted planning permission for our new warehouse, which is a key part in the delivery of our future growth plans for the business in Cheshire and will enable British Salt to deliver enhanced customer service and supply chain excellence.” Chad Brown, Managing Director at ICG Real Estate, added:  “We’re pleased to be partnering with Stoford on the forward funding of this well located and mission critical asset. This is an attractive deal for ICG, underpinned by strong real estate fundamentals and favourable lease dynamics, with the firm eager to deploy further capital in the sector across the UK and Europe.” Stoford and British Salt were both advised by DTRE on the sale and Avison Young were the appointed planning consultants.

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Prologis UK acquires two prime last-mile logistics estates in Greater London

Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford. This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in Croydon and Erith in July.  Comprising more than 360,000 sq. ft. of prime last-mile logistics space, on a total of 17 acres, both estates offer a range of Grade A units and are 100% leased to customers operating in diverse industry sectors including distribution, construction, pharmaceutical and film and television. Located in two densely populated urban markets, Prologis Central Park (Park Royal) and Prologis Imperial Park (Watford) are strong additions to the UK portfolio, with both benefiting from excellent connectivity to London and beyond. Situated at the heart of Park Royal, the capital’s premier industrial and logistics estate, Central Park was built in 2014 to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification. Imperial Park was built in phases from 2000 and is well located less than 5 minutes from Junction 5, M1 in Watford, north west London’s principal commercial district. The purchase of both assets complements Prologis UK’s existing portfolio – expanding holdings at Park Royal and, in the case of Watford, increasing the company’s presence along the southern M1-London corridor. The Watford site in particular adds to a number of successful projects in Hemel Hempstead. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “The purchase of these prime urban logistics estates illustrates our confidence in and appetite to grow our last mile offering servicing London and the South East. We look forward to working with new customers across the two parks, all of whom are welcome additions to our business.” The assets were acquired from Schroders Capital who were advised by Gerald Eve. 

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KAYFLOW UNVEILS LATEST MACHINERY INVESTMENT TO AID PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Kayflow continues to demonstrate its commitment to both product development and sustainability by investing in a new injection moulding machine, which is just one element of the company’s ongoing investment programme for 2022. Kayflow’s new Romi – 800T Injection Moulding Machine with Axis Robot will be used for the ongoing production of Kayflow’s underground soil and waste range of mouldings. The machine’s extensive collection of innovative features will aid production as well as helping to reduce the company’s energy consumption. The machine’s ‘Stop and Go’ system is driven by a Servopump for high precision, repeatability, and energy efficiency, whilst the modernised power system will result in a 60 percent reduction in energy usage. Its reduced cycle times will also help to improve machine utilisation and capacity, both of which support a more sustainable operation. In addition to contributing to Kayflow’s energy efficiency objectives, the Romi – 800T also enables consistent production and a superior finish aiding the company’s commitment to providing only the highest quality products on the market. Alan Tunnicliffe, Technical Director at Kayflow, explains: “The Romi – 800T is one of ten new machines we plan to purchase in 2022, following on from our investment in three machines last year. Overall, 70 percent of our machinery has been modernised over the past two years, which has enabled us to maintain our high-quality standards and increase productivity, whilst reducing our energy consumption and carbon footprint. “Quality will always be at the heart of everything we do, but we are constantly aware of the impact our processes have on the environment. This is why we strive to employ systems and procedures that work to mitigate any negative environmental effects and increase our sustainability. “We’re confident that the investments we have made – and continue to make – will have a positive impact on our business processes, both in terms of product quality and energy consumption, for many years to come.” Further information about Kayflow and its product range can be found at www.kayflow.co.uk or by calling 01827 317 269.

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Caddick Construction start on site for Phase 2 of Gateway 36 industrial scheme, Barnsley

Caddick Construction has started work on Phase 2A of the Gateway 36 industrial scheme near Barnsley after been appointed by Eos Inc Ltd, part of the Harworth Group Plc. The £9.3 million contract initially covers Plots 1-3, as well as external yards, car parking, associated highways and off-site drainage work. Unit 1 consists of two 10,000 sq ft units, Unit 2 is 49,500 sq ft and Unit 3 is 38,500 sq ft. Overall, Phase 2 will be developed over 51 acres to either side of the A6195 Dearne Valley Parkway at Rockingham and provides a range of industrial and logistics units with easy access to Junction 36 of the M1. Building on the success of Phase 1, the overall development comprises of a broad mix of medium to large industrial options together with a number of roadside units including the Greene King Public House. The scheme will accommodate a range of units from 5,000 sq ft up to 462,000 sq ft with a minimum BREEAM rating of “Very Good”. It is already proving popular with logistic and last-mile delivery specialists. Gateway 36, located within the heart of the Sheffield City Region, was established following the long-term remediation of the former Rockingham Colliery. It was developed by Harworth Group from 2014 onwards with the first three speculative industrial units, totalling 65,000 sq ft, completing in 2016. The latest Units 1-3 of Phase 2A are being constructed by Caddick on a speculative basis and are due to complete towards the end of this year. The following Units 5-8 will be offered on a design and build basis. Richard Gaukrodger, Caddick Construction Director, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to deliver this key logistics scheme at Phase 2 Gateway 36. Our construction and design teams are making excellent progress with the structural steelwork and cladding now in progress to all three units and we look forward to continuing the support of our local supply chain partners and local businesses to deliver a successful scheme. Cameron Sanderson, Development Manager from the Harworth Group, added: “Phase 2 continues Harworth’s strategy of increasing our direct development of industrial & logistics space over the next five to seven years. Gateway 36 is extremely well-connected adjacent to Junction 36 of the M1 and our trusted delivery partner Caddick Construction are doing an excellent job in facilitating our ambitions to provide high specification industrial and logistics space. “The development will support continued economic growth and jobs for South Yorkshire with the first three units nearing completion.” For all enquiries contact Knight Frank or Gent Visick.

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INVITATION TO TENDER FOR PAGABO’S NEW £1BN MEDIUM WORKS FRAMEWORK

SUPPLIERS have been invited to tender for Pagabo’s latest framework – the second generation of its popular Medium Works framework – for which the tender documents have now been published.  The new generation of the framework will run for four years from January 2023, taking the place of the current iteration, which expires in December. It will provide a compliant and collaborative route to market for public sector clients to procure medium-sized construction projects valued at up to £10 million. With a total value of £1 billion, the framework will be split into four lots, with up to nine contractors allocated to each region under each lot across core and reserve supplier appointments. There are a number of these places reserved for SMEs to ensure fair access for suppliers of all sizes and to promote ample choice for clients, while generating the most positive social impact for communities. Lot 1 – £50k to £500k Lot 2 – £500k to £1m Lot 3 – £1m to £5m Lot 4 – £5m to £10m Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “The current Medium Works framework is one of our most active construction offerings, having seen more than 150 projects procured through it to date. It’s proved a popular option for clients, so we’re pleased to be looking at the next generation and continuing to support public sector bodies to procure the services they need to compliantly deliver their mid-sized schemes. “Over the past three and a half years, some fantastic schemes have been brought to fruition through the framework, including the expansion of Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Coventry, a £5m new teaching block for Horsforth School in Leeds, and Bassetlaw District Council’s first carbon reduction scheme, which saw a significant refurbishment project at Kilton Forest Gold Course’s clubhouse. “The new iteration of the framework is aligned with all of the gold standard principles of procurement laid out by the Construction Playbook, ensuring that all clients and suppliers will be working at the forefront of industry best practice when it comes to their built environment projects. We’re now looking forward to receiving tender submissions from suppliers and working with our wider ecosystem to make this new generation of Medium Works the best it can be, ready to go live in January next year.” The Education Alliance will be the contacting authority for the new agreement, continuing its role from the current iteration of the framework. For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/

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WILTON SECURES PLANNING FOR 2.26M SQ FT AT DONCASTER NORTH

Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year.  The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent to J6 of the M18 at Thorne, this includes a unique opportunity in the UK to develop a single unit of 1.15M sq ft.  The scheme will create around 8,500 jobs for the region.  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has approved the scheme which forms part of Wilton Developments’ wider 180 acre, 3.52M sq ft, industrial and logistics site, within one junction of the M62/M18 interchange.   The first phase of delivery will extend to more than 700,000 sq ft across 6 buildings, ranging in size between 21,750 sq ft to 284,000 sq ft. The site, which will be delivered to a BREEAM Excellent rating and high specification with market leading ESG credentials, will address the trend towards larger units, responding to supply and demand with first buildings due to be delivered by 2023. CBRE and Knight Frank are appointed agents to market the Doncaster North scheme. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, comments: “A huge effort between ourselves, DMBC and our wider stakeholder partners has ensured that we are able to bring forward the first phase of this regionally significant Northern Powerhouse Logistics and Employment site. We are looking forward to getting on-site, delivering much needed industrial and logistics space with all of the positive socio-economic benefits that the construction and occupation of new buildings bring. The site’s enviable location close to the axis of both the M62/M18 and M18/M180 means it is well positioned to serve large swathes of the UK via the east coast ports and the national motorway network. Glyn Jones, Doncaster Council Portfolio Holder for Business and Housing stated: ‘It is excellent that this exciting industrial scheme is coming to fruition with support from Doncaster Council. We look forward to the site bringing forward a range of new employment opportunities to the north of Doncaster Chris Dungworth, Head of Business Doncaster added: ‘We have been supporting Wilton Developments for a long time on this development and look forward to working with them and the retained property agents to help attract quality businesses into these units. Mike Baugh, Executive Director, CBRE Leeds said “This is splendid news for the region, which is currently suffering with a lack of good quality, well located stock.  Doncaster North is also hugely significant for the national logistics market as it is currently the only site in the UK with detailed consent for a single 1m sq ft + unit.  We are seeing a continued trends towards larger scale distribution units, particularly from the online retail and 3PL sectors, this is creating a lot of interest in Doncaster North, particularly the 1.15m sq ft opportunity.” Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank added: “We are delighted to be advising Wilton Developments on this flagship new development for the region.  Doncaster North will offer a unique opportunity for occupiers looking for flexibility of scale, strategic connectivity, and best-in-class specification, coupled with the latest ESG credentials to satisfy occupiers’ growing need for sustainable buildings.    “Consecutive record-breaking industrial take-up figures achieved over the past two years have left the region with a dearth of available stock; Doncaster North will help to address this supply/demand imbalance by providing occupiers with desperately needed space”.   

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Barberry nears completion of £35m speculative development

Leading property developer and investor Barberry Industrial is closing in on completion of its £35 million speculative development of three market leading mid-box manufacturing/logistics units at a prime West Midlands business park. Construction at Hilton Cross Business Park, near Wolverhampton, where Barberry is delivering warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft, 62,000 sq ft and 113,000 sq ft on a 12-acre site, is expected to reach practical completion later this summer. South Staffordshire District Council approved the company’s detailed planning application for the development, which bring much-needed investment and jobs to the region. The development, known as Wolf Pack, is located at junction one of the M54 motorway. Barberry joined by Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of the Council, and Grant Mitchell, the council’s assistant director of enterprise and growth, at the site to check on progress. The development is being delivered by main contractor Benniman. Barberry was selected by the local authority as the preferred purchaser of the last two remaining plots on the business park. The units are being built to exacting energy efficiency and sustainability levels, to include photovoltaic cells on the south facing slopes of the roof and provisions for electric vehicle charging points and will achieve EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings. Development director Jon Robinson said: “This is a fantastic example of the private and public sector working hand-in-hand to deliver an outstanding development which will generate economic benefits and create new jobs for the region. Barberry has an excellent relationship with South Staffordshire District Council and it is great to be working with them to deliver this prime, motorway-connected logistics scheme of more than 222,750 sq ft of self-contained, high quality accommodation.” “We are excited to see the excellent progress being made at Wolf Pack. These three market-leading mid-box industrial/logistics units will help to address the ongoing pent-up demand for high quality mid-box warehouse and manufacturing units in the region.” He added: “Wolf Pack is being delivered with due consideration for many of the environmental, social and corporate governance ratings measuring the sustainability and social impact of new buildings. Barberry is using some of the latest environmental technologies to reduce the cost of occupation and cut the carbon footprint of our buildings. “Our market leading development is already generating a great deal of interest from potential occupiers in both the e-commerce and manufacturing sectors, providing an outstanding logistics location particularly for those supplying into i54 on Junction 2 of the M54 and those looking for proximity to an excellent labour demographic ” Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of South Staffordshire Council said: “The Council are delighted to see the progress Barberry have made in bringing the Wolf Pack site forward for development. When we sold the plots to Barberry, one of our key drivers was seeing the much-needed local jobs and benefits to the local economy as quickly as possible and it’s great to see that coming to fruition. I’m also very pleased with the high sustainability standards Barberry are bringing to the development to minimize its impact, which are very much in tune with the Council’s aspirations for climate change and future growth.” The Wolf Pack development includes eco-friendly features such as high efficiency air source heat pumps, an EPC A rating, LED lighting, photovoltaic cells and electric vehicle charging points, designed to reduce CO2 emissions and costs of occupation. Local occupiers include Tarmac, Moog, Jaguar Land Rover, DHL and Kuehne + Nagel. Barberry has a 4.6 million sq ft industrial and logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of in excess of £800 million. It is developing a £40 million state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in engine and flight controls systems in Gloucestershire. The 209,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment is being built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury.

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Legal & General acquires 6.2-acre Horsham site for multi million pound industrial scheme

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM Real Assets) has acquired a 6.2-acre freehold estate in Horsham, West Sussex on behalf of its Industrial Property Investment Fund (“IPIF”). LGIM Real Assets and its development partner, Graftongate, plan to speculatively develop a prime multi-unit industrial/logistics scheme on the site of Wilberforce House in Southwater, south of Horsham town centre. The proposed scheme would see the development of seven new warehouse units totaling almost 100,000 sq ft, including integral office space. The scheme will target EPC A+, BREEAM Excellent and operational net zero carbon. Wilberforce House is currently let in its entirety to the RSPCA, which is relocating to smaller premises. LGIM Real Assets and Graftongate plan to develop the scheme on receipt of vacant possession in Q1 2023. Jonathan Holland, senior fund manager for LGIM Real Assets, said: “The purchase presents an excellent opportunity to acquire a development site to provide Grade A industrial stock in a supply constrained market and a sector where occupational demand is booming, and rental growth is set to follow. On expiry of the lease, this will be one of the most valuable development sites in West Sussex.” Alex Thomason, development manager at Graftongate, said: “The redevelopment of the Wilberforce House estate offers an excellent opportunity to deliver high quality industrial/logistics accommodation in an established commercial location. The property occupies a prime position on Wilberforce Way and benefits from excellent transport links, being easily accessible via the A24 dual carriageway. We expect the scheme to generate significant interest from prospective occupiers.” Savills and Clay Street acted on behalf of LGIM Real Assets and Graftongate, the vendor was represented by Carter Jonas.

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