Plans to develop a multi-level last-mile logistics scheme on Mandela Way in Southwark have been given the green light. This is the latest scheme in British Land’s 2.9m sq ft pipeline. The site sits close to the junction of New Kent Road, Old Kent Road and Tower Bridge Road and
Gregory Properties (Leeds) Limited has secured reserved matters planning approval to deliver 124,700 sq ft of green industrial and logistics park at Rockingham in Barnsley. The ten-acre site is well located fronting the A6195 Dearne Valley Parkway with direct motorway access to Junction 36 of the M1. Gregory Properties plans
Tritax Symmetry has appointed GMI Construction to develop a 132,750 sq ft logistics facility at Symmetry Park Doncaster. The facility will be built on a speculative basis to net zero carbon in construction. “Symmetry Park Doncaster has become a prime logistics location with successful companies such as Butternut Box and
Work on the £30m #BuiltByGMI helicopter logistics hub on behalf of aerospace giant Leonardo Cements continues to move at a pace, with the site’s progress marked by the industrial partners’ next generation workforce cementing their hands into the floor. Team members from GMI, real estate developer Graftongate, Leonardo and its
Electric vans are increasing in popularity, but should you buy one for your business? Dan Powell from Desperate Seller reveals the top five things every electrician needs to check before going electric. With the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel vans looming large over the horizon, you may be wondering
New 68,374 sq ft distribution facility set to practically complete this month Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC has announced that it has secured a pre-letting at Guinness Point, a brand new 68,374 sq ft industrial unit in Trafford Park. The new distribution facility will be practically completed this month. Sainsburys
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announced that it has begun earthworks on the site of G-Park Ashby-de-la-Zouch. G-Park Ashby is a 48-acre development site benefitting from an outline planning permission to deliver build-to-suit logistics warehouse opportunities of up to 736,487 SQ FT.
Bullet Express, one of the UK’s fastest-growing logistics, distribution and storage businesses, has opened a new 67,000 sq ft logistics centre at Westway Park, Renfrew, Scotland’s largest fully enclosed industrial distribution and office park. The new logistics centre will see Bullet Express increase its storage and distribution capacity by 14%,
One of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and the secure storage container, Mobile Mini, is asking clients, customers, and industry peers to ensure they are fully prepared to transition fuel requirements ahead of red diesel taxation changes set for next month. Red diesel refers to a normal diesel
Slow driving licence renewals by the DVLA are taking drivers out of circulation and leaving already-stretched fleets with further reduced resources, FleetCheck is reporting. The fleet software company says that it is hearing from across its user base and elsewhere that the issue is especially affecting vocational licence renewals where
Plans to develop a multi-level last-mile logistics scheme on Mandela Way in Southwark have been given the green light. This is the latest scheme in British Land’s 2.9m sq ft pipeline. The site sits close to the junction of New Kent Road, Old Kent Road and Tower Bridge Road and will deliver a last mile logistics hub for Southwark and central London. The former Southwark Council car pound will be redeveloped to feature four floors of flexible, high-quality, sustainable logistics space with exceptional access to local consumers and central London making it suitable for a range of prospective occupiers. The asset’s ground floor logistics space provides access for a variety of distribution vehicles including HGVs and cargo bikes, while upper floors will be served by lifts. In line with British Land’s ‘Greener Spaces’ pillar of its 2030 sustainability strategy, the scheme will target a BREEAM Excellent rating and implement low-carbon materials, and a circular economy strategy to lower embodied and operational carbon emissions. British Land’s pipeline of urban logistics projects in Greater London has a gross development value of £1.3 billion. It includes, alongside Mandela Way, an additional project adjacent to the Old Kent Road on Verney Road, the Finsbury Square Car Park and The Box at Paddington Central, which received planning consent earlier this year. Additionally, British Land received approval in July to deliver 455,000 sq ft of multi-level logistics space at Heritage House, Enfield, located near Junction 25 of the M25. Mike Best, Head of Logistics at British Land, said: “Mandela Way is the latest scheme in our London urban logistics pipeline to receive planning consent following approvals at both Paddington Central and Enfield earlier this year, enabling us to bring forward another high quality logistics project and continue to address the acute undersupply of sustainable, modern warehousing in Greater London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Gregory Properties (Leeds) Limited has secured reserved matters planning approval to deliver 124,700 sq ft of green industrial and logistics park at Rockingham in Barnsley. The ten-acre site is well located fronting the A6195 Dearne Valley Parkway with direct motorway access to Junction 36 of the M1. Gregory Properties plans to speculatively build out the scheme which consists of three detached high quality industrial/warehouse units of 25,560 sqft, 43,000 sqft and 56,140 sqft. Each designed to a market facing specification including first floor office accommodation, secure service yards and institutional HGV loading provision and eaves heights. Nick Gillott, Development Director at Gregory Properties, said: “We are excited at the prospect of starting to deliver these three high quality purpose-built logistics units. It’s a superb scheme, situated less than half a mile from the M1, in an established location. We are confident that the development will attract strong occupier interest.” The Yorkshire industrial and logistics team at Knight Frank have advised Gregory Properties throughout the acquisition process and will be retained as marketing agents, Iain McPhail, Partner at Knight Frank said: “It’s a highly prominent site, in a desirable area for industrial, logistics and distribution. In addition to this, the area offers a vast array of amenities within close proximity. “On the ESG front, these will not be the usual grey boxes; they will be much more sympathetic to the surrounding natural landscape and complement the local area with neutral green tones. They are also set in generous landscaping, backing onto woodland. The impressive design doesn’t stop there, the units will have strong environmental credentials, green in more ways than one!” Gregory Properties hopes to start the speculative development on site Summer 2023 and be ready for an Easter 2024 occupation. The three new units will be offered to let. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tritax Symmetry has appointed GMI Construction to develop a 132,750 sq ft logistics facility at Symmetry Park Doncaster. The facility will be built on a speculative basis to net zero carbon in construction. “Symmetry Park Doncaster has become a prime logistics location with successful companies such as Butternut Box and B&Q choosing to be based here. The highly sustainable facility we are developing will undoubtedly attract a sophisticated business looking for a build which supports its ESG and operational objectives,” said Scott Meakin, Development Surveyor at Tritax Symmetry. This is the third building to be constructed on the site: the first unit (151,000 sq ft) is occupied by Dogmates Ltd, trading as Butternut Box on a 15-year lease whilst the second unit (430,000) is being built by GMI and has been pre-let to B&Q, which is due to PC imminently. An additional 1.26-acre plot is available for development. “We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Tritax Symmetry to deliver a facility that will contribute to the levelling up of the region by providing much-needed logistics space that encourages investment and job creation. This project reflects GMI’s growing position in the construction of manufacturing and logistics facilities not only in Yorkshire, but the other areas in which we operate – in the North West, North East and the Midlands,” added Andrew Hurcomb, GMI Construction Group’s Divisional Managing Director Yorkshire. Located at Junction 34 of the A1 (M) on the North Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire border, Symmetry Park, Doncaster is a 54-acre site, located adjacent to J34 A1(M) and Blyth Services. Representing the development are the Leeds offices of Savills, Dove Haigh Phillips and Colliers International. “Tritax Symmetry’s decision to speculatively build out the net zero carbon in construction 132,750 sq ft unit comes at a time when Grade A standing stock in the region is at record low levels and we are already fielding strong enquiries regarding the unit which will practically complete in quarter three 2023,” concluded Rob Whatmuff, Head of Colliers Leeds. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work on the £30m #BuiltByGMI helicopter logistics hub on behalf of aerospace giant Leonardo Cements continues to move at a pace, with the site’s progress marked by the industrial partners’ next generation workforce cementing their hands into the floor. Team members from GMI, real estate developer Graftongate, Leonardo and its logistics partner Kuehne+Nagel all came together at the state-of-the-art facility in Yeovil as work moves to the next stage of construction before practical completion of the entire hub. Charlea Boucher, Project Officer at Leonardo Helicopters UK, cemented her hands into the ground of the 210,000 sq ft single-site logistics hub to symbolise the project’s nod to the future. “It has been amazing to see the rise of the single-site logistics hub during the final year of my business graduate placement at Leonardo in Yeovil,” said Charlea, who is a fourth-generation employee at Leonardo, now working on the AW149 New Medium Helicopter campaign programme. “My great-grandparents worked on-site a few generations ago in engineering, so it’s great that this investment in the site is future proofing Yeovil for years to come as I embark on the next stage of my career here at Leonardo.” Highlighting the construction’s commitment to future generations, is the development’s focus towards sustainability through a number of eco initiatives. Rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, full LED lighting throughout the facility and a heat recovery system in the main warehouse have all been included in the build. Additionally, there will be a bank of electrical vehicle charging points for employees and a new fleet of electrical vehicles. “The project has had its challenges, but we are where we are now thanks to the teamwork and collaboration between all parties involved,” said GMI Senior Project Manager Glenn Reeves. “Given where we are situated at the end of Leonardo’s campus, we had to take a number of things into account in relation to the surrounding area, and it was a big demolition job from the outset. “The first third of the operation involved clearing the site of the old buildings and addressing known areas of ground contamination that were highlighted during extensive pre-construction surveys. “We have maintained close communication with Leonardo on a daily basis as well as the local community and local businesses – keeping them updated with the progress that we are making.” Enthused by the number of apprentices working on the scheme, Glenn added: “We’ve been very fortunate to have had half a dozen apprentices on-site and it’s an area of the industry which Leonardo Cements and ourselves are particularly passionate about. “It’s good to see and we’re really keen to continue pushing this through the various trades.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Electric vans are increasing in popularity, but should you buy one for your business? Dan Powell from Desperate Seller reveals the top five things every electrician needs to check before going electric. With the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel vans looming large over the horizon, you may be wondering if now is the right time to make the switch to electric. Electric vans are more expensive to buy than their diesel counterparts but they offer significant long-term savings when it comes to fuel, tax, and maintenance costs. Electric vans are easier to drive and more refined than their diesel rivals too, which means they tend to be more comfortable over a long journey. The latest crop of electric cargo carriers from Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot will also deliver heavy-duty load carrying capacity that will easily match the latest diesel panel vans. However, before you ditch your diesel, there are some important things you should be aware of. Dan Powell, editor at the online van marketplace Desperate Seller, reveals the top five things you need to know before joining the electric revolution. Work out your mileage How many miles do you drive a week? Does your daily commute involve long motorway trips or are you a local electrican who covers lots of short journeys? Before you set foot in a van showroom, you’ll need to work out what your daily and weekly mileage is (then add 20% to cover those unexpected site visits and trips to the local wholesaler). Once you have an idea of your mileage, you can start shortlisting vans. The Ford E-Transit will cover between 166 and 196 miles on a full charge, while the Vauxhall Vivaro-E is advertised with a maximum range of 205 miles. It’s important to note the real world range may be slightly lower than the advised figure as things like air conditioning and heating will require power from the van’s EV battery. Do the maths An electric van could save your business thousands every year. Charging the 75kWh version of the Vivaro-E will cost around 28p/kwh and give you around 200 miles of range. A diesel van that returns 47mpg will cost at least £37 to fill (at 191p-per-litre) and you could save even more if you charge your van at home on an overnight tariff. Electric vans are more expensive to buy than their diesel rivals, however. The Vivaro-E, for example, is around £5000 dearer than the standard diesel model. But road tax is free and electric vans also have fewer moving parts than diesel vehicles, which means maintenance and servicing costs tend to be lower. Many supermarkets and public car parks will also let you charge your van for free while electric vans are exempt from clean air zone charges, like the London ULEZ. Take charge Obviously, if you buy an electric van then you’ll need somewhere to charge it. And a home charger is the cheapest and most convenient way for your business to operate an electric van. Charging your van via a three-pint plug will take all day, so invest in a home wallbox if you have a driveway as this will cut the charging time to six or seven hours. There are more than 33,000 public EV charging points in the UK. And more are being added to this figure every day. Some public charging stations are free to use. Rapid charging is the most expensive way to charge your van but is useful if you get caught short, boosting your battery from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes. Check your weight Electric vans tend to have lower towing capacities than their diesel counterparts. The Vivaro-E, for example, will tow a braked trailer up to 1,000kg – so always check the spec if you need your electric vehicle to tow tools or equipment. Payload capacity and loadspace is generally the same as diesel and petrol vans. In 2018, the Government changed licensing laws to make it easier for people to drive electric vans. This means you can operate an electric van weighing up to 4,250kg with a standard driving licence (instead of the 3,500kg you’d normally be limited to with a petrol or diesel vehicle). Take a test drive Have you ever driven an electric van before? If you haven’t, you’ll probably find the experience a little strange at first because electric vans are silent and don’t have a manual gearbox. Electric vans also use regenerative braking, which recovers energy to top up the battery when you slow down. This means the van will lose speed when you lift your foot off of the accelerator much quicker than a standard diesel vehicle. As a result, we’d recommend taking an electric van for a lengthy test drive so you can see if it is something you feel comfortable with.
New 68,374 sq ft distribution facility set to practically complete this month Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC has announced that it has secured a pre-letting at Guinness Point, a brand new 68,374 sq ft industrial unit in Trafford Park. The new distribution facility will be practically completed this month. Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd has signed a 15 year lease on the facility which will provide the retailer with a prominent, high-quality, new build development within the heart the North West’s prime industrial/logistics location. Having identified a lack of supply within Trafford Park and the wider Greater Manchester region, Harbert Management Corporation committed to speculatively develop the unit with strong occupational demand received immediately. Steve Capper, Director, CBRE’s Industrial & Logistics team, comments; “Given the lack of development within Trafford Park, coupled with the prominent location and specification of the unit, it is no surprise that an excellent company such as Sainsburys has committed to the property.” Howard Hill of Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC further comments; “We are excited to welcome Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd to the Trafford Park portfolio. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Sainsburys on the scheme and we look forward to seeing them operating from the unit very soon. We have seen record levels of take-up and rental growth across the Trafford Park holding and occupancy levels remain at an all-time high.” CBRE and B8RE acted for Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC and Avison Young acted for Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd.
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announced that it has begun earthworks on the site of G-Park Ashby-de-la-Zouch. G-Park Ashby is a 48-acre development site benefitting from an outline planning permission to deliver build-to-suit logistics warehouse opportunities of up to 736,487 SQ FT. Earthworks are progressing rapidly and are expected to be finished by early 2023, with the full development set to complete by Q1 2024. The site has a prime location in the Midlands logistics hub, in the heart of the Golden Triangle. G-Park Ashby is conveniently situated adjacent to the A42 and A511, providing access to the M42 to the South and the M1 10 miles to the North East. Urban hubs Birmingham, Nottingham and Leicester are all close by, with Manchester, Liverpool and London also easily accessible. East Midlands Airport, only 10 miles away, and Birmingham International Airport, 29 miles away, also provide convenient air links for transportation. The site can be developed as either one single unit or two units, depending on customer requirements, with clear internal heights of up to 18 metres. As with all GLP’s developments, the units will be built to enhanced specification and will follow GLP’s rigorous ESG standards. The development will be BREEAM Excellent and WELL ready, and will feature a range of sustainability features including rainwater harvesting and energy tracking and consumption tools for customers. The development is a prime example of the care taken by GLP to respect and nurture the natural environment. For example, a colony of great crested newts was discovered on the site, which GLP has taken significant time and consideration to rehome, delaying progression with the earthworks until the colony was safely relocated. There will also be an extensive green outdoor space for landscaping and nature, including ecological ponds. Adrienne Howells, Senior Development Director at GLP, said: “G-Park Ashby is an exciting addition to our portfolio in the Midlands and indicates our ongoing confidence in opportunities in the Golden Triangle, following the success of projects such as Magna Park Lutterworth. Trends such as e-commerce have buoyed already high demand for prime logistics space, particularly high-quality, conveniently-located, sustainable facilities such as this.” Not only will this new development bring excellent opportunities for our customers; it will also boost employment in the region, creating almost 1000 new jobs and providing major benefits for the local economy. Once again, we are planning our development with place-making as a priority, focusing on environmental features such as our ponds, green open spaces and our G-Hive bee programme.”
Bullet Express, one of the UK’s fastest-growing logistics, distribution and storage businesses, has opened a new 67,000 sq ft logistics centre at Westway Park, Renfrew, Scotland’s largest fully enclosed industrial distribution and office park. The new logistics centre will see Bullet Express increase its storage and distribution capacity by 14%, creating job opportunities for warehouse and inventory personnel within the local area. The facility at Westway, which provides Bullet Express with easy access to the M8 and the new road link to Glasgow Airport, will have capacity for 12,000 pallets – 10,000 for racked storage and 2,000 for floor storage. The new facility in Renfrew is the latest addition to Bullet Express’ rapidly expanding network which includes: Bothwell, Express Pallet Centre and HQ totalling 200,000 sq/ft. – network distribution. Baillieston, flagship Storage Centre totalling 210,000 sq/ft. – racked and floor storage. London Road, Glasgow Storage Centre, totalling 32,000 sq/ft. – high-bay racked storage. Glespin, Storage Satellite, totalling 50,000 sq/ft. – floor storage. Established more than 30 years ago, Bullet Express is a full service logistics business with 150 employees providing a European road freight service, worldwide air and sea freight support and stacked storage for customers. Westway, owned by Canmoor and Ares Management Corporation (ARES) provides industrial, warehousing, distribution and office space for companies of all sizes across a number of industries. David McCutcheon, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bullet Express, said: “With our expanding client base, we simply needed additional storage space to facilitate this demand and business growth. Our new centre at Westway offers quality secure space, along with good eaves height, which enables optimum storage space. “The location also offers excellent connectivity, particularly allowing for easy access to the M8 and the new road link to Glasgow Airport. “We are installing racking throughout the site to accommodate 12,000 pallets of which 10,000 will be racked storage and 2,000 floor storage.” Toby Saul, Asset Manager of Canmoor, added: “The new team was established in March this year and we are delighted to welcome Bullet Express as our first new occupier. “Bullet Express is an excellent addition to the quality occupier mix here at Westway and we wish David and the team every success with their expansion plans. “We will continue to asset manage the park and continue the ongoing investment programme, which includes the refurbishment of Block J and Unit G1, with further infrastructure improvements and projects to be announced shortly.”
One of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and the secure storage container, Mobile Mini, is asking clients, customers, and industry peers to ensure they are fully prepared to transition fuel requirements ahead of red diesel taxation changes set for next month. Red diesel refers to a normal diesel that has been dyed to show it is for use on untaxed off-road vehicles or equipment. Historically this distinction would see the fuel achieve a low duty rate, but from 1st April 2022, red diesel will no longer be made available at a rebated rate for most commercial applications. These reforms were announced by the Government two years ago as part of the ongoing task to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Losing tax-free status and business entitlement means viable alternatives to red diesel must be found. These changes will typically affect any business that hires generators, lighting, static & mobile welfare facilities, fuel management services or any other diesel-powered equipment. As with any major industry change, accepting and adapting as soon as possible is usually in the best interest of all involved, which is why the storage container company has acted fast to source new approaches. The company recently sent out correspondence to all customers and partners outlining their approach and advising others to act quickly to ensure a seamless transition with no negative impact endured. Bernard McGovern, Mobile Mini UK Managed Services, said, “To put it simply, it will no longer be legal to use red diesel to fuel most products required on construction projects. This is not a matter of choice and is something we must all adhere to. At face value, existing alternative fuels are costlier, so it will become more essential than ever to work with partners that have a well thought out efficiency strategy and can help ensure customer savings are made elsewhere. “A fundamental way we have maintained our long-standing reputation is by providing bespoke solutions to individual customers and never taking a one-size-fits-all approach, including the correct solution regarding fuel. Mobile Mini will advise all customers on what the best solution appears to be for their needs and will factor in current industry standards to this advice. Ensuring no costly modifications are required for equipment to change over will help make transitions both quick and efficient.” One of the alternative fuels the storage container expert is suggesting to suitable customers is HVO (Hydrated Vegetable Oil) fuel, which is a fossil-free fuel consisting of 100% renewable, biodegradable and sustainable properties. For others, dual power options supplied through the inclusion of a battery pack will be the most appropriate alternative and the business is already working with innovative suppliers that offer the next generation of hybrid solutions. Mobile Mini UK, headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees, has a fleet of over 40,000 portable units for a variety of storage solutions and 16 strategically placed sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The company has had an enviable record of zero reportable accidents for over two years and earlier this year furthered its reputation for excellence after being named the GOLD winner of the Customer Experience category at the 2022 UK Business and Innovation Awards. 7% of employees at Mobile Mini are qualified Mental Health First Aiders and the business was proud to support the NHS with units throughout COVID-19, as well as rolling out life-saving defibrillator equipment to all branches and investing in new safety features on an upgraded fleet of crane-mounted trucks.
Slow driving licence renewals by the DVLA are taking drivers out of circulation and leaving already-stretched fleets with further reduced resources, FleetCheck is reporting. The fleet software company says that it is hearing from across its user base and elsewhere that the issue is especially affecting vocational licence renewals where drivers are notifying the authorities of new medical conditions for the first time. Peter Golding, managing director, said: “Every time a truck or bus driver wants to renew their licence, they have to undergo a thorough medical by a doctor and any new conditions notified. This might be something as common as high blood pressure. The DVLA will then assess this change for safety before granting a licence renewal. “This appears to be where the hold-ups are occurring, with 4-8 week delays not being untypical, we are being told. There is a provision in the Road Traffic Act called section 88 that allows drivers to carry on working in these conditions but, in the real world, there is a significant question mark over whether this is covered by standard fleet insurance. In the end, it appears that most fleets are deciding not to take the risk.” Peter said that, as a result, drivers awaiting renewal are often being placed on yard duties or simply told to go home until the DVLA process is completed and a notification received. “For fleets that are already badly stretched by high demand for services at the same time as experiencing driver shortages in the wake of Brexit, this is a very definite problem. They simply can’t afford to be losing drivers for a month or longer. “There is no obvious solution other than perhaps applying for licence renewals much earlier than they are technically needed. It appears to be simply a case of waiting for the DVLA to work through a backlog that has now been in place for some time.”
