Detailed planning consent has been granted for 824,000 Sq Ft of industrial warehouse space on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration together with its Joint venture
Panattoni has submitted plans for a 305,000 sq ft warehouse at Crewe Commercial Park. The warehouse will be built on a 14-acre plot, adjacent to its newly completed 240,000 sq ft speculative logistics facility The developer has submitted a reserved matters application for a warehouse of 291,239 sq ft, along
Menzies Distribution has appointed adi Group to redevelop their flagship distribution centre in Coventry. The new state-of-the-art 165,000 sq ft media and distribution hub has been designed to be an integral part of Menzies’ UK & Ireland operation. Serving the firm’s network of 65 regional hubs, adi Building & Refurbishment
Specialist logistics developer and investor PLP (Peel Logistics Property), has bought a 17 acre development site at Smithy Wood Business Park in Sheffield from St Pauls Developments and the Norfolk Estate where it will speculatively build a 343,000 sq ft warehouse. The site was sold subject to planning and having
Goodman will offer design and build opportunities for Andover Business Park’s final 16-acre plot, capable of delivering up to 362,000 sq ft of bespoke industrial and distribution space. Launch of Plot 5 follows sale of final roadside plots, adding to the Park’s excellent on-site amenities Customers will join the Co-operative
Barberry Developments is developing a £9.8 million, 72,000 sq ft, speculative warehouse unit at the site of a former DIY store in Northamptonshire. Barberry Developments has started on site at the 3.5-acre site, at Sopwith Way, Daventry. Benniman has been appointed construction contractor and practical completion is expected in May
Developer Roxhill has secured approval from the Secretary of State for its 5 million sq ft strategic rail freight terminal in Northamptonshire. The application was granted approval yesterday for the development of a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) together with landscaping, access and other supporting infrastructure works consisting of an
Gazeley is proposing to speculatively develop a 746,478 sq ft warehouse at its Magna Park Lutterworth scheme in the East Midlands subject to planning. The huge facility is one of four properties on a speculative scheme totalling 1.3 million sq ft being brought forward by Gazeley following its acquisition of
Plans for a massive Jaguar Land Rover parts distribution complex on farmland near Ashby could get the green light next week. North West Leicestershire District Council planners have recommended that councillors approve the 2.9m sq ft scheme off junction 11 of the M42, near Appleby Magna. A vote will take
Agreement follows completion and sale of Unit 1, a 45,500 sq ft design and build development to Heartbeat U.K handed over in August. A joint venture between brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group and the Richardson family has today announced that it has secured a second occupier at Velocity 42,
Detailed planning consent has been granted for 824,000 Sq Ft of industrial warehouse space on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration together with its Joint venture partners iSec have today announced details of a major new development on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1 upon which it intends to develop five new warehouse developments. The brownfield site has been unused since the Coalite works closed over a decade ago but now joint venture partners iSec and brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group will start ground works immediately to make plots ready for development. Occupiers could move into high quality industrial warehouse and manufacturing space from Q2 2021. A second application seeking outline consent for an additional 500,000 sq ft in two units on adjoining land has also been submitted by the developers to North East Derbyshire District Council. At 1.32 million sq ft the scheme is destined to play a national role in the ever-expanding logistics market based on increasing demand from e-commerce channels. The developers together with community leaders also want to make sure the business park provides a broad range of jobs across the manufacturing and technology sectors. As well as stimulating significant local job opportunities, the developers expect the scheme to stimulate fresh inward investment in the area boosting the local economy. It is also planned to upgrade the surrounding road network with significant improvement works planned for Buttermilk Lane likely to start early next year. Talking about the project, Gareth Williams, Development Director at St Francis Group said; “It is well documented that there is significant levels of pent up demand across the region and indeed the UK for high quality industrial units as businesses look to expand or relocate. A considerable amount of time and effort has gone in to ensuring that this development will meet the very high standards expected by todays occupiers. The units will sit in a high-quality environment only minutes from the M1”. Following a formal launch early next year, marketing will target occupiers looking for bespoke buildings, built to meet specific requirements. iSec and St Francis Group have instructed Knight Frank and CBRE as sole joint letting agents.
Panattoni has submitted plans for a 305,000 sq ft warehouse at Crewe Commercial Park. The warehouse will be built on a 14-acre plot, adjacent to its newly completed 240,000 sq ft speculative logistics facility The developer has submitted a reserved matters application for a warehouse of 291,239 sq ft, along with 13,864 sq ft of integrated three-storey offices and a security gatehouse. The site occupies a prominent position adjacent to the A500, offering easy access to J16 of the M6. Once built, the development will add £3 million per year into the local economy and bring over 300 full-time jobs. Dan Burn, development director at Panattoni, said: “We have been hugely encouraged with the interest that we have received to date for our 240,000 sq ft speculative unit. By submitting this application, we will ensure that we can respond immediately to occupier’s requirements and give ourselves the option of a further phase of speculative development at the appropriate time”. Matthew Byrom, managing director of Panattoni, added: “As a result of its strategic location between the North West and West Midlands conurbations, Crewe has always attracted a strong list of occupiers. With proposals for the town to become a hub for HS2, we are confident of robust demand”. CBRE, Burbage Realty and Legat Owen are the retained agents on the scheme.
Menzies Distribution has appointed adi Group to redevelop their flagship distribution centre in Coventry. The new state-of-the-art 165,000 sq ft media and distribution hub has been designed to be an integral part of Menzies’ UK & Ireland operation. Serving the firm’s network of 65 regional hubs, adi Building & Refurbishment was brought in to play a key role in the development process, delivering both internal and external work to tight deadlines and quick turnaround times. Commenting on the project, adi Building & Refurbishment managing director David Beebee said: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Menzies on this development. “Over the past few months, we’ve been working hard to implement a strategy that would allow Menzies to rapidly expand its distribution base as well as continue operations as normal. “Thanks to the fast growth of our business and the talent base at our disposal, I’m pleased to say that at all times we’ve been able to execute the programme with the upmost efficiency.” Winning the Menzies project is partly the result of adi Building & Refurbishment building its brand regionally over the last couple of years, positioning itself to fill the void left by other contractors that have gone out of business or that have been bought by large national construction companies. More importantly to them, however, it is through delivering previous projects to a very high standard. With a customer satisfaction rating consistently nudging 100%, the business puts a lot of emphasis on understanding clients’ needs and expectations and implementing a plan that meets those needs as an absolute minimum. David added: “Following on from the exciting work we’ve been doing with other clients on similar buildings, this contract represents another huge feather in the cap of adi Building & Refurbishment. “Interior fit-out is a key service stream for us now and particularly in the future. We also have significant experience building, refurbishing and fitting out distribution centres and other similar structures and see this as a key area to grow too.” Fitting out offices, reception areas and the main warehouse, adi has been heavily involved in the Menzies project, engaging with architects, local authorities and planning parties on behalf of the client. External work has included new barriers, turnstiles and halogen fencing, as Menzies significantly steps up its portfolio of print media haulage in the UK. “The new distribution hub really formulates part of a wider growth strategy for us,” said Greg Michael, CEO at Menzies Distribution. “We’ve recently taken on new contracts with Frontline Ltd and Seymour Distribution, both of which will see us take their products to over 25,000 retailers. “In adi Building & Refurbishment, we knew we’d found a contractor that could help us design and deliver the space we needed at what will be our largest distribution centre, as well as meet time critical deadlines. “This project will drive further improvements in our daily logistical operations for retailers across the UK & Ireland. So far, however, adi has either met or exceeded my expectation in every regard.” Birmingham-based adi Group is a multi-disciplined construction and engineering firm, with over 30 specialist service sectors meeting the needs of thriving start-ups and national brands across the UK & Republic of Ireland.
Specialist logistics developer and investor PLP (Peel Logistics Property), has bought a 17 acre development site at Smithy Wood Business Park in Sheffield from St Pauls Developments and the Norfolk Estate where it will speculatively build a 343,000 sq ft warehouse. The site was sold subject to planning and having received it, the new owner intends to get started on a speculative build as soon as possible. The facility will be one of the largest warehouses in the Yorkshire region. Construction will commence this year with completion in Autumn 2020. Smithy Wood Business Park, adjacent to Junction 35 of the M1 motorway in Sheffield is a well established commercial location and home to occupiers such as DPD, Cutting and Wear and Arthrex. Matthew Fitton, development director at PLP, said: “Given the proximity of the site to the M1 motorway and Sheffield, PLP Smithy Wood will offer great accessibility and market connectivity. PLP has the confidence here to speculatively build one of the largest warehouses in the region.” “In line with PLP’s long term sustainability policies, we’re installing roof mounted solar panels, multiple electric charging points for vehicles and the infrastructure to augment these post construction. We are also making a significant investment in the local ecology of the site, improving the biodiversity of the surrounding area.’’ David Newton, MD of St Pauls Developments, said: “We always believed in Smithy Wood’s location, being so close to J35 M1, and this encouraged us to invest in the site to create a fully serviced, strategic land holding. PLP’s decision to purchase and develop 17 acres is exactly the type of deal we felt we could attract, and I am sure it will be a successful project for them.” The PLP platform is owned by MIRA Real Estate, Peel Group, Ivanhoé Cambridge and its senior management team. CPP have been appointed as leasing agents for the scheme.
Goodman will offer design and build opportunities for Andover Business Park’s final 16-acre plot, capable of delivering up to 362,000 sq ft of bespoke industrial and distribution space. Launch of Plot 5 follows sale of final roadside plots, adding to the Park’s excellent on-site amenities Customers will join the Co-operative Group and Rich Products in strategic location With a population of 12.7 million people within a two hour drivetime1, Andover Business Park meets the demand for strategically-located industrial and distribution space in reach of both the South East and West of the UK. Alongside the opportunity to access this prime consumer base, which amounts to a combined spending power of £282 billion, customers will benefit from a growing employment pool, with the local population set to increase by 50% by 20312. The Park is already home to the Co-operative Group’s regional distribution centre and global bakery firm Rich Products, which opened a 15-acre site in June 2019 in a move to consolidate its UK production facilities. Goodman has also recently seen the sale of two roadside plots at Andover Business Park, with van leasing company Abacus and 24 hour gym, PureGym, both set to start on site imminently. The latter will add to a suite of amenities – including a Travelodge hotel, Costa drive-thru and Marston’s Inn – helping customers attract and retain their workforces. Charles Crossland, Managing Director, Goodman UK, said “Just two miles from Andover town centre and benefitting from direct access to the A303, the site reflects Goodman’s commitment to providing strategically-located warehouse space and high-quality environments to work – with the park offering not only job opportunities but facilities to match.” Appointed agents at Andover Business Park are JLL, Savills and Myddelton & Major. For more information about business prospects in Andover Business Park and Plot 5, please visit the website for more more details.
Barberry Developments is developing a £9.8 million, 72,000 sq ft, speculative warehouse unit at the site of a former DIY store in Northamptonshire. Barberry Developments has started on site at the 3.5-acre site, at Sopwith Way, Daventry. Benniman has been appointed construction contractor and practical completion is expected in May 2020. Barberry secured the site for an undisclosed sum from New River Retail and achieved planning consent from Daventry District Council earlier this year. Barberry development director Jon Robinson said: “Barberry 72 will be a prominent high quality warehouse/manufacturing unit, in the highly sought-after mid-box range, in what is an excellent location. “We currently have a logistics/industrial pipeline of circa 2.8 million sq ft. All of our warehouses are available on both leasehold terms or as freehold purchases.” Meanwhile, the Richardson Barberry joint venture construction of five mid-box industrial units, totaling 174,500 sq ft, at More+ in Bristol, has reached practical completion. The JV has also been selected as development partner to deliver a £140 million business park – with 1.75 million sq ft of accommodation – at Aycliffe Business Park in County Durham, and recently gained planning consent.
Developer Roxhill has secured approval from the Secretary of State for its 5 million sq ft strategic rail freight terminal in Northamptonshire. The application was granted approval yesterday for the development of a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) together with landscaping, access and other supporting infrastructure works consisting of an intermodal freight terminal including container storage and HGV parking, rail sidings to serve individual warehouses, and with the capability to also provide a ‘rapid rail freight’ facility as part of the intermodal freight terminal. In addition there would be approximately 5 million sq ft warehousing and ancillary buildings, with additional floorspace provided in the form of mezzanines as well as new road infrastructure and works to the existing road network, including the provision of a new access and associated works to the A508, a new bypass to the village of Roade, improvements to Junction 15 and to Junction 15A of the M1 motorway, the A45, and other highway improvements at junctions on the local highway network; The scheme was one of five strategic rail freight interchanges being proposed in the Midlands with a combined associated warehouse development of some 39 million sq ft in addition to the ones already there which include East Midlands Gateway and DIRFT (adding a further 15 million sq ft of associated warehouse space). Goodman has its East Midlands Intermodal Park in South Derbyshire, which would bring 6 million sq ft of associated warehousing across a 630-acre site. Then there is an adjacent 600-acre site to Roxhill’s Northampton gateway SRFI being brought forward by Gazeley teaming up with Ashfield Land to promote Rail Central in Northamptonshire, two miles from Junction 15A of the M1 motorway. The scheme is looking to provide 7.4 million sq ft of associated warehousing space. Far in the north west of the region in South Staffordshire, Four Ashes is championing the 733 acre West Midlands Interchange, with up to 8 million sq ft of associated warehousing. Finally the most recent to be put forward is dbSymmetry’s Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange in Leicestershire which links in to the Nuneaton to Felixstowe rail freight route. The 560-acre site could accommodate up to 9 million sq ft of associated warehouse space (some of it mezzanine). It is located close to Junction 2 of the M69 motorway connecting the M6 near Coventry and the M1 motorway near Leicester. Like most nationally important infrastructure developments, this one has proved controversial having gone through the planning inspectorate rather than the more usual planning route. Three examining inspectors made up a panel to examine the application, which was conducted on the basis of written and oral submissions submitted to the Panel and by a series of meetings held in Northampton. The Panel also undertook one accompanied and one unaccompanied site inspection. In response to the application the Secretary of State noted there is a ‘compelling need for an expanded network of SRFIs’. And believes that it is ‘for the market to determine the feasibility of particular proposals and notes there will be limited suitable locations for SRFIs’. With regard to the number and proximity of SRFIs in the Midlands the Secretary of State notes: ‘that operational collaboration and linkage between closely related SRFIs does takes place (including between SRFIs geographically closer than DIRFT and the Proposed Development), and notes the Panel’s consideration that a similar relationship between DIRFT and the Proposed Development might also occur. The Secretary of State therefore agrees with the Panel that the proximity of DIRFT does not undermine the Applicant’s justification of need’. In relation to other proposals elsewhere in the region the Secretary of State’s response was that it was not possible to judge an application on any ‘putative proposals’ of a similar nature.
Gazeley is proposing to speculatively develop a 746,478 sq ft warehouse at its Magna Park Lutterworth scheme in the East Midlands subject to planning. The huge facility is one of four properties on a speculative scheme totalling 1.3 million sq ft being brought forward by Gazeley following its acquisition of a 220-acre tranche of land from DB Symmetry, known as Magna Park South. In a planning statement regarding the new mega shed and the intention to raise its external eaves height to 21m, Gazeley said it wished to “proceed as swiftly as possible following a grant of planning permission” on the scheme. A spokesperson for Gazeley said: “Having received outline planning permission for the broader expansion of Magna Park, we can confirm that we have submitted a Reserved Matters application for four new buildings at Magna Park Lutterworth. We have seen strong levels of customer demand for space at Magna Park Lutterworth and this application is a response to that demand. We look forward to working with the Council and other stakeholders in the coming months to bring forward this exciting development.” The new cross-dock mega shed will boast 18m eaves, 100 dock and eight level access doors and will have parking for 557 cars and 150 trailers on a 31-acre site. As usual with Gazeley it will also include a host of sustainability features and will reach BREEAM Excellent. The last time such a large warehouse was built speculatively in the UK was in 2005/6 when HelioSlough, a joint venture between Slough Estates – now SEGRO – and Helios Properties, built the 750,431 sq ft Nimbus warehouse in Thorne, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The scheme was forward funded to the tune of £42 million by CBRE Investors and was originally let to DHL/MFI on a ten-year lease at an annual rent of £3.075 million in 2007. The cross dock property has 15m eaves as well as 75 dock and 13 level access doors. Following the collapse of MFI, the property was relet to The Range on a £20 year lease at a rent believed to be around £4 per sq ft with five yearly rent reviews. It was sold to Tritax Big Box REIT for £48.5 million, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.1% on the asset acquisition, assuming 5.8% purchase costs. The new speculative mega shed is being constructed on a 220-acre plot of land bought by Gazeley to the south of Magna Park Lutterworth from Tritax Symmetry. This is allowing Gazeley to create what is considered the largest dedicated logistics park in Europe in one ownership. The combination of all three sites Magna Park, Magna Park North and Symmetry Park – now known as Magna Park South – totals some 1,360 acres and could eventually have 15.8 million sq ft of buildings. DTRE and Burbage Realty are advising.
Plans for a massive Jaguar Land Rover parts distribution complex on farmland near Ashby could get the green light next week. North West Leicestershire District Council planners have recommended that councillors approve the 2.9m sq ft scheme off junction 11 of the M42, near Appleby Magna. A vote will take place at a September 3 planning meeting. West Midlands-based JLR wants to have five units on the site – including two that would be 1 million sq ft in size – to store parts prior to shipment to retailers in UK, North and South America, Europe, Africa and much of Asia. It will also act as a master site for a big distribution centre in Shanghai. JLR has not said how many jobs it would create but it would replace 10 warehouses – including main sites in Desford, Leicestershire, at Bagington in Coventry and Honeybourne, near Stratford – which employ around 1,200 staff. North West Leicestershire District Council said there had been a “significant number” of objections, including from 16 local parish councils as well as North Warwickshire Borough Council. But officers have said there was “strong evidence” of an “immediate need” for the development. They said: “Whilst concerns have been raised by objectors regarding a range of issues, the application is accompanied by an environmental statement which indicates that, subject to appropriate mitigation, these issues or other adverse environmental impacts arising from the proposed development would not indicate a conflict with the development plan as a whole, nor that planning permission ought to be refused.” There have been letters of objection about the height of the buildings and area covered by the site, the impact on the local environment, carbon emissions, the loss of farming land, light pollution and increased traffic. Hinckley and Bosworth MP David Tredinnick said he was opposing the plans along with Market Bosworth county councillor Ivan Ould and North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey. Peter Snelson, who lives in No Man’s Heath, less than half a mile from the site, said: “Our perception is that the whole scheme is grossly out of scale with the virgin agricultural land of this area. “There will be light pollution 365 days of the year and traffic going in and out 365 days of the year. “The environmental impact will affect people living in this area for ever, no matter what IM Properties says about the wonderful lighting systems they are going to put in. “I’ve got a feeling that house prices will be affected because at the moment you look out on green fields. In two years time you will see grey sheds.” Supporters have included Kevin Harris, chairman of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership. Mr Harris said: “Leicester and Leicestershire already has significant automotive and logistic strengths due to its central location and strong manufacturing base and the creation of a new global parts logistics centre would bring additional economic benefits to the area by generating new employment and supply chain opportunities for local people and businesses.” JLR would lease the site from property developer IM Properties, taking the lion’s share of 3.6 million sq ft of warehousing the developer wants to erect on the 238 acre farmland site. IM Properties has previously said the overall £350 million distribution park – with buildings ranging in size from 200,000 sq ft up to 1 million sq ft – could create up to 3,000 jobs. A Jaguar Land Rover spokeswoman said “centralising and streamlining” its UK-based global spare parts business would lead to “huge efficiencies”. She said: “This is a long-term plan. We want to start transferring operations in early 2022 with full completion by early 2023. “We will be working with current providers throughout that time to ensure a smooth transition. The new site would be operated by a third party, but it’s way too early to say who that will be. “The existing sites employ about 1,200 people between them. It’s too early to say how many the new site will have, but it’s part of the growth plans of the business, so will be a significant employer.” Asked about potential job losses at other sites and Brexit she said: “It is way too early to talk about the impact on people. “It is absolutely not Brexit related. This is a long-term project, which we began work on in early 2016. “It is absolutely not short-term Brexit planning, because it is a strategic move.” If it gets the go-ahead, work could start next spring with the first unit ready in May, 2021. Kevin Ashfield, UK development director at IM Properties, said there were “very few sites” in the UK which could deliver such a scale of development in the right location for Jaguar Land Rover. He said: “We believe the proposed planning application puts forward a high-quality, sustainable scheme will have huge economic benefits for the local area and retain an important element of the Jaguar Land Rover business in the region.”
Agreement follows completion and sale of Unit 1, a 45,500 sq ft design and build development to Heartbeat U.K handed over in August. A joint venture between brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group and the Richardson family has today announced that it has secured a second occupier at Velocity 42, a brand-new warehouse and distribution centre development in Redditch. Unit 5 extending to 93,720 sq ft and the largest unit on the park has been let to Avon Freight Group on a new 15-year lease and comes only weeks after building works were completed on the new five-unit scheme which extends to 330,000 sq ft in total. Unit 1 at 45,500 sq ft has already been sold and is now occupied by Heartbeat UK, a design and manufacturing company. Avon Freight Group a freight/logistics operator already based in Redditch is expecting to move in with immediate effect. The signing of the lease comes at a time of rapid business expansion and new client contracts for the company creating a requirement for additional storage capacity. The facility will be used to handle food products and can store 15,000 pallets. Velocity 42 is part of a 1.1M sq ft development portfolio completed by St Francis within the last 14 months. Commenting on the lease, Gareth Williams at St Francis Group said: “We are delighted to announce the signing of a second occupier so soon after completion of the scheme. This further underpins the decision to develop these units speculatively. The three remaining units are attracting the interest of occupiers with requirements along the M42 corridor and I expect a third announcement will follow soon.” Also commenting Simon Poole, Managing Director at Avon Freight Group said: “This will allow us to not only continue in partnership with our current clients as their needs grow but also to offer a state of the art, new build storage facility for new clients.” Velocity 42 is located at the Park Farm industrial area, Redditch. The three remaining units range from 55,000 sq ft to 85,000 sq ft. Located in a key distribution area in the heart of an excellent logistics network that allows for easy access to locations across the UK, Velocity 42 is the perfect opportunity for any organisation looking to expand or consolidate its operations. Savills and JLL acted for St Francis Group and the Richardson family. Avon Freight Group were advised by local agents John Truslove. For further information visit: www.velocity-42.co.uk