Barberry Industrial has today revealed plans to develop three high quality mid-box manufacturing/logistics units totaling 220,750 sq. ft at a prime West Midlands business park in a £28 million project. Barberry’s proposals to build industrial/logistics units of 47,750 sq. ft, 62,000 sq. ft and 113,000 sq. ft at Hilton Cross Business Park, just off junction one of the M54 near Wolverhampton, would bring much-needed investment and jobs to the region. The units will be built to exacting energy efficiency and sustainability levels, to include photovoltaic cells on the south facing slopes of the roof and provisions for electric charging points. The West Midlands-based property investor and developer has been selected by landowner South Staffordshire Council as the preferred purchaser of the last two remaining plots on the well established Hilton Cross Business Park. Barberry has submitted a detailed planning application to South Staffordshire District Council. Barberry Industrial development director and shareholder Jon Robinson said: “We are very pleased to announce that we have been selected as purchaser for this prime site at junction 1 of the M54 at Wolverhampton, based upon our track record and delivery of previous projects. “We have submitted a detailed planning application this week for the development of three high quality manufacturing/logistics units, with a view to securing planning and enabling us to start construction on site in Q2 2021. “We have an excellent working relationship with South Staffordshire Council and we are looking forward to working with them to deliver this prime motorway-connected manufacturing/logistics scheme of more than 227,750 sq. ft of self contained, high quality accommodation to help satisfy demand in the mid-box sector.” Jon added: “We are confident that the quality of our development, combined with this excellent location will generate a great deal of interest from potential occupiers, catering for pent-up demand for both freehold and leasehold requirements and provide a logistics location for occupiers supplying into i54 on Junction 2 of the M54. We are also confident that this development will attract high quality occupiers, creating much-needed jobs for the region and attracting further investment to the region.” South Staffordshire Council leader Councillor Brian Edwards M.B.E. said: “When the council acquired the land at Hilton Cross we were always very keen to see it developed to bring jobs and growth to South Staffordshire and, subject to planning permission, I’m delighted that this should hopefully be the case. With the proposed development at Hilton Cross, and other key employment sites, including some of our own developments, it really demonstrates this council’s commitment to the economic prosperity of this area and the benefits it will bring to businesses of all shapes and sizes”. Grant Mitchell, assistant director enterprise and growth at South Staffordshire Council, said: “The council has worked positively with Barberry for some time to realise the potential of the two plots on Hilton Cross and it’s good to see such well-located quality employment land coming forward for development. The proposals will create much-needed jobs in difficult times and demonstrates the attractiveness of South Staffordshire that Barberry are keen to invest here and add to their already impressive portfolio.” It’s been a busy year for Barberry. It recently announced it is developing a c.£38 million state-of-the-art precision engineering advanced manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in Military and commercial engine controls systems in Gloucestershire. The 184,000 sq. ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment will be built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury. It is believed to be one of the biggest deals of the year in the manufacturing sector. Barberry also recently announced that it is working with IMI Truflo Marine – a world-leading manufacturer of critical flow control solutions – to create a multi-million-pound centre of engineering excellence in Birmingham. A state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility will be developed at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) in a deal with Barberry. IMI Truflo Marine will relocate to the manufacturing hub in Witton from its existing facility nearby. It has agreed a 15-year lease on the new headquarters. Barberry has a 3.3 million sq. ft industrial/logistics development portfolio with a Gross Development Value of more than £398 million. Hilton Cross Business Park is strategically located immediately adjacent to junction 1 of the M54. Junction 10a of the M6 is situated only two miles to the east, while i54 Business Park and the new two million sq. ft JLR engine plant is just three miles to the west.

GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces that it has leased a 155,000 SQ FT unit, Unit 3, at its G-Park Northampton site, to Whistl on long-term lease. Whistl is the UK’s leading delivery management company and the development at G-Park Northampton will serve to support Whistl’s continued growth in the ecommerce fulfilment markets. This letting is the second major lease between GLP and Whistl following the construction and lease of a 233,000 SQ FT development at G-Park Bedford in September 2019. G-Park Northampton is situated in a prime location benefiting from its proximity to both the M1 and M6 and is within easy reach of the A45 & A14. This puts 90% of the population of England and Wales within a four-hour HGV drive time. G-Park Northampton is a much sought after location for logistics located within Moulton Park and comprises three units and one build-to-suit logistics warehouse, with sizing ranging from 50,000 to 155,000 SQ FT. Grade ‘A’ rated, the highly specified buildings have achieved BREEAM Very Good rating and are suitable for a range of occupiers including last mile logistics, 3PLs, retail/FMCG and manufacturers. In August this year, GLP announced that it had leased Unit 2 at G-Park Northampton, a 90,000 sq ft unit, to SF Express. SF Express is a global customer of GLP and the lease marked its first UK Distribution Centre outside of China. Moulton Park is one of the most successful industrial estates in Northamptonshire and is already home to a range of regional and national businesses. Occupiers continue to be attracted by the areas’ transport links, access to national markets and skilled workforce. Joe Garwood, Development Director at GLP UK, said: “Having worked closely in partnership with Whistl to deliver their new state-of-the-art, built-to-suit super depot at G-Park Bedford last year, we are delighted to be working together once again as part of Whistl’s ongoing growth.

PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, has entered into an agreement with Wentworth Clean Power Limited (WCP) to bring a £230 million, state-of-the-art, waste-to-energy project to Teesside. WCP, developers of advanced waste-to-energy projects in the UK, together with its partners, will develop, finance and deliver the project on Dockside Road, to the south of Teesport Commerce Park. The advanced project, which will be named the Teesport Renewable Energy Centre, will sit on a 9-acre footprint and create between 250-300 full time jobs during construction, with a further 40 permanent jobs created when the plant becomes operational – which is expected to be in the second half of 2024. The sustainable plant will utilise a variety of waste streams, characterised by rigorous environmental credentials, and employ proven technologies from first-class providers, positioning PD Ports, and the Tees Valley, at the forefront of the clean energy sector. Michael McConnell, PD Ports Group Property Director, said, “We are delighted to have signed this agreement to bring such a large and important investment to the Tees Valley and look forward to working with WCP and its partners to progress the project and bring the waste-to-energy plant to fruition. “This huge private investment from outside of the UK further demonstrates our trusted and proven track record when it comes to delivering large-scale projects, investments and real jobs to the region, whilst reinforcing our commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.” The plant, when complete, will have an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes of feedstock and deliver an electrical output of 30 megawatts – enough to power up to 27,000 homes with the potential to provide decentralise energy to existing and planned industrial users via combined heat and power. Philip Spanos, CEO of WCP, commented, “WCP is truly delighted to enter into this partnership with PD Ports for the development of such an exciting project on their land. “PD Ports is an extremely supportive, mature and experienced landowner, who fully understand the complexities of developing such projects. “WCP looks forward to playing its role, alongside PD Ports and local stakeholders, in contributing to the realisation of the immense potential of the Tees Valley as host to this project and the pool of highly skilled labour for its construction and operation. “We also hope, through the guidance of Redcar and Cleveland Council as the Local Planning Authority, to contribute actively to the local area.” James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said, “This announcement is such welcome news on many levels. Attracting such investment at this time of global crisis is a testament to the strength of the region and these jobs are so important to our community. “Our collective commitment towards Net Zero remain a top priority and this project will bring us closer to delivering a more sustainable and greener economy for the future. We hugely congratulate PD Ports and everyone involved with this development – it will be a huge morale boost for our area.” The next steps for the project is to hold discussions with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, the local Planning Authority, to formulate, prepare and submit a full application for consideration so that construction can commence. Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Mary Lanigan, said, “This is a major investment proposal which has the potential to bring the kind of high quality jobs we need, subject to planning approval. We have a world-class port in our borough and it is wonderful to see its owners, PD Ports, securing further inward investment for our region. “I’d like to congratulate both WCP and PD Ports and, as a very business-friendly authority, we look forward to continuing to work with everyone concerned.” Throughout negotiations, which have taken place over the last 18 months, PD Ports was advised by Jacksons Law Firm whilst WCP was advised by Slater Heelis LLP, Manchester.

ScarMuir Group are bringing to market Scotland’s largest distribution hub, Q1-500, at Queensferry One on the Rosyth Waterfront, Fife. Q1-500 offers 500,000 sq ft (46,451 m2) of distribution, logistics and office space. Queensferry One is a 120 acre site situated at the Gateway to Fife, adjacent to Junction 1B of the M90 and Queensferry Crossing, where Scarborough and Muir are planning a £250m mixed use development including office, industrial, hotel and roadside type uses.   “We are bringing Queensferry One to market at a time of a huge increase in demand for distribution and logistics space. The demand is being fuelled by online and traditional retailers changing and refining their business models in response the COVID pandemic and by the rapidly changing nature of consumers buying behaviour. Queensferry One reflects Scarborough’s continued proactive approach to development and is part of a live portfolio of projects with a £2bn GDV,” said Paul Kelly of Scarborough Group International. The project is being developed in partnership between Scarborough Group International, who have a number of major development projects across the UK, and leading Scottish developer and contractor, Muir Group. “We are expecting keen interest from the market. Q1-500 will provide the highest specification warehousing and logistics accommodation at a time when there is a huge increase in demand for large scale space in this sector. The site is located alongside the M90 and Queensferry Crossing offering easy access to the main Scottish cities, Northern England and the Port of Rosyth,” said William McAlister, of Muir Group. Agents Ryden and JLL have been instructed by the JV to market the space.