By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE COMPANY agreed a 20 year lease at an annual rent of £1.3 million with landlord Urban Logistics REIT for the unit at Hedge End close to Junction 7 of the M27 motorway.

The building was vacated and refurbished and re-let within one financial year. The refurbishment saw the property achieve an EPC B rating following significant ESG improvement.

Situated on a 6.79 acre fully self contained site the property consists 98,377 ft2 of warehouse space  as well as 14,694 ft2 of first floor offices. It has 9.1m eaves and 11 level access doors.

Joint letting agents were Lambert Smith Hampton, M1 Agency and Realest.

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE NEW unit, which will total 43,00 ft2 will be target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating, represents the final phase off the scheme which was originally conceived as a seven-year, six-phase scheme, however Indurent Park Derby will be completed in just four years in response to high demand in the region for modern industrial workspace with strong ESG credentials.

Indurent Development Director Rob Richardson, said: “The accelerated development programme underlines our conviction for the location as one of the UK’s fastest-growing manufacturing hubs. We anticipate strong interest in the final unit as demand for modern, high-spec space in the region continues to outweigh supply.”

The Park is currently home to Rolls Royce, which occupies a 148,000 ft2 facility completed in 2024, as well as heat pump manufacturer Vaillant, Swedish medical technology company Getinge, and a national training centre for Kia. 

Winvic Construction is the principal contractor for the final phase, having successfully delivered the previous three phases at the Park and other high-quality units at the nearby Indurent Park Tamworth. 

Knight Frank and Savills are instructed as agents on the final unit.

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE COMPANY has secured Urban Logistics REIT’s 130,677 ft2 Trax Park property in Doncaster.

It has taken a 10 year lease at an annual rent of £1 million a year – 10% higher than the rent guarantee Urban Logistics REIT negotiated when  buying the property in November last year.

The unit which was built in 2005 has been refurbished, and has 12m eaves as well as 10 dock and two level access doors with a 45m yard depth. It has had a number of ESG enhancement including the installation of a PV array.

It is located one mile north of Junction 3 of the M18 motorway and 2 miles southwest of Doncaster City Centre.

M1 Agency and Latitude Real Estate advised on the sale of the property to Urban Logistics REIT. M1 Agency advised on the letting.

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

BARNSLEY COUCIL agreed to a resolution to grant following a planning committee meeting on 18^th February. Planning officers had already recommended the 211-acre scheme for approval as reported by Logistics Matters https://www.logisticsmatters.co.uk/Yorkshire-logistics-scheme-set-approval

Newlands Developments announced the news on LinkedIn stating that: “We look forward to continuing to work with key local stakeholders to deliver significant social value via our commitment to Employment and Skills Plans.”

This best-in-class development will generate up to 3,200 new jobs, £210m GVA per annum, and upgrade local bus services and active travel infrastructure.

Over 95 acres will be dedicated to new landscaping, which will result in a substantial biodiversity net gain. This includes planting over 650 trees and 6,500m of new hedgerows and enhancing the ecological wildlife corridor alongside Carr Dike.

The scheme located south of Dearne Valley Parkway in Goldthorpe will comprise four development plots capable of accommodating units ranging from 345,000 ft2 to 840,000 ft2.

Joint letting agents for the scheme known as Linkway Barnsley are JLL, CBRE and Knight Frank.

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logiscts Matters

The proposals were rejected by West Northamptonshire Council planning committee in September last year despite recommendations for approval by planning officers as reported in Logistics Matters.

DHL appealed and now a public inquiry has started with the Planning Inspector adjudicating.

The proposals garnered strong opposition from the local community with  more than 1,100 letters of objection as well as objections from Towcester Council and 16 further parish councils, the British Horse Society, and Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). Conservative MP Sarah Bool as well as a number of councillors, have supported campaigners against the development with one councillor directly criticising the West Northamptonshire Council’s planning department as ‘inadequate’ and ‘useless’.

The scheme would have seen DHL secure an initial 250,000 ft2 BREEAM Excellent distribution centre as well as land for a new home for Towcester Town Football Club. 

Planning officers supported the scheme as it would have provided the local sub regional economy with 1,300 full time equivalent jobs and provided a £50 million a year GDV. Planning officers had said the level of economic growth in this location is supported by the development plan and other council adopted strategies, as well as the NPPF.

The planning committee initially refused the application following concerns regarding  traffic chaos, the developments scale and whether or not there was any real demand for warehousing  in the area.

The inquiry is due to end on February 28^th.

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE FIRM has signed a 15-year lease for the unit, which will act as its regional distribution centre. 

The unit built to acheieve an EPC A rating  has LED lighting throughout, solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging stations. It has 30,886 ft2 of warehouse space with 9.25m eaves, as well as 5,159 ft2 of Cat A two storey offices. 

The property was being marketed with a quoting rent of £312,600 per year equating to roughly £8.67 per ft2.

Naylors Gavin Black secured the letting for the Team Valley site. 

(Image credit: darylscottwalker)

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE INVESTOR developer has submitted full planning proposals to Cherwell Council to build nine units totalling 1.79 million ft2 on a 120-acre site that wraps round the Siemens Healthineers development which is currently under construction adjacent to Junction 9 of the M40 motorway.

The park will offer best in class buildings in units ranging from 98,252 ft2 to 317,492 ft2 with eaves height ranging from 16 – 21.5m to ridge with market leading ESG credentials including Net Zero Carbon in Construction, EPC A+  and BREEAM Excellent rating.

The land, while not on the Oxford greenbelt, is open fields currently used for agricultural use. The site has been identified as a draft allocation as a preferred employment site allocation in the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 Proposed Submission Plan.

The 604,000 ft2 Siemens Helathineers facility will design and manufacture superconducting magnets used for MRI patient scans and is part of the Government’s push for  the development of the Oxford Cambridge arc.

Tritax stated in planning documents: “The UK government has recently revived a strategic plan to build transport links and housing between Oxford and Cambridge, the latest sign that Labour is focusing on high-productivity areas of the economy in its push for growth. The government committed in the October Budget to deliver the East West Rail project that will revive the “Varsity” railway, which connected Oxford and Cambridge.

“The subject scheme, located in Oxfordshire, is just the type of proposal that the central and local government should support as will help ‘kick start’ the growth in the arc area. Oxfordshire is in the heart of the Government’s plans. Granting the proposals planning permission now i.e. meet need, will respond to the Government’s number one mission for growth.”

It estimated that the construction phase will generate around 720 onsite construction job years over the duration of the construction process (assuming a 4-year construction period, this equates to an average of 170 gross construction jobs per annum). 

While post-construction, the proposed development is anticipated to generate around 1,440 full time equivalent onsite and offsite jobs in Cherwell. 

The GVA added per year during the construction phase is estimated to be £8.3 million per year over 4 years. Finally, the on-site operational phase is expected to add around £54.2 million in GVA to the local economy a year. 

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE PROPERTY  known as The Peoplebuilding on Maylands Avenue was acquired in an off market deal from Aviva Investors, which had been looking to dispose of the property for some time.

It totals some 100,000 ft2 and sits on a plot of 12 acres. The site is about mile from Junction 8 of the M1 motorway.

Back in 2012 it was reported that Aviva had been looking at alternative uses for the site that included retail and distribution uses.

It is likely that Kier will look to redevelop the site under the auspices of its Trade City and Logistics City Brand

SBY Real Estate advised Kier.

WHEN ORGANISATIONS consider sustainability, they often focus on large-scale changes—switching to renewable energy, overhauling supply chains, etc. While these initiatives are crucial, one often-overlooked opportunity lies in labelling.

Traditional labels generate significant waste through their backing liners, which are typically discarded after application. By switching to linerless labels, businesses can eliminate this waste entirely, reducing landfill contributions and supporting a more circular economy. One small change with a big impact.

Why linerless labels?

Linerless labels are exactly what they sound like, labels without the wasteful backing liner. This simple yet powerful innovation offers:

• Increased Efficiency: More labels per roll mean fewer roll changes and less downtime.
• Reduced Waste: No liner means no landfill-bound waste, supporting sustainability initiatives.
• Lower Costs: More labels per roll and fewer material requirements translate to real savings.
• Enhanced Safety: No slippery liner waste reduces workplace hazards.

From warehouses and logistics hubs to retail services, linerless labels are helping businesses streamline operations. Companies using them have reported faster processing times, improved print quality, and a significant reduction in waste-related costs.

If you’re looking to optimise your labeling processes while enhancing sustainability efforts, linerless labels are a game-changer. Ready to take the next step. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.peaktech.com/gb/linerless-printing-labeling/

The Most Common Pain Points

Steep Initial Costs

Due to the EV market only recently entering maturity, there is a high upfront investment for transitioning a fleet. At present EVs are generally more expensive than their ICE counterparts. This is due to them being a newer technology and thus fewer factories capable of manufacturing them, coupled with a smaller selection of models means that they are more expensive.

Meanwhile, costs are also incurred by the need for new infrastructure. Unlike a simple fleet upgrade, EVs must be charged rather than refuelled. This necessitates a whole new set of infrastructure to be installed as the existing ICE infrastructure cannot be utilised by them. 

Space and Power

As with any infrastructure project, the key issues are whether the proposed site has enough space and power to ensure the smooth operation of processes. Planning permissions will need to be obtained before any ground can be broken. Meanwhile, the chargers, must be placed carefully so that they do not block access for other vehicles.  Ensuring that you have enough space to install such infrastructure can be a challenge, while also ensuring compliance with local laws. 

Due to EVs requiring charging, this also puts further pressure on the site’s energy capacity. Many fleet operators are unsure of whether the proposed site has an adequate power supply to charge their fleet of vehicles. Furthermore, ensuring that the chargers are correctly connected to the Grid can also cause headaches.

Total Ownership Cost (TCO)

EV fleets have only really begun to become widespread recently, this can make it difficult to account for long-term savings in comparison to short-term expenditures. Without the experience, businesses can struggle to understand the full financial picture and can feel left in the dark. 

This inexperience can also lead uncertainty on what the hidden costs might be. How much is the maintenance of an EV over its lifespan? How much are infrastructure upgrades going to cost? There are many unforeseen circumstances that can make fleet operators apprehensive about transitioning. 

A Path Forwards

With over nine years of experience, Mer has set up a dedicated Design and Consultancy service to address these pain points for fleet operators. There is no one size fits all solution for transitioning to EVs, instead it must be taken on a case-by-case basis. Through our experience across mainland Europe and the UK, we have found several solutions to these pain points, each of which has been proven to pay off for our clients. 

Fleet Optimisation

Just like with an ICE fleet, selecting the right vehicles is of the imperative. By using data driven insights, Mer’s team helps fleet operators to select the optimal vehicle for the job. To achieve this, duty cycles and operational demands are carefully scrutinised to identify which vehicles are best suited for electrification. 

The result of this process is a fleet well optimised to save costs and maximise efficiency. This helps to ensure that fleet operators can make well informed decisions about the makeup of their fleet and to insulate their investment from losses, while delivering the best value for money. 

A Clear Picture of the Cost

Mer’s team will build a transition analysis, which will provide a clear picture of the financials involved in an EV fleet transition project. This stage helps our clients to budget accordingly through a detailed breakdown of the costs and savings. 

Meanwhile, part of the process includes a cost-benefit analysis. This also helps fleet operators to plan for longer-term contingencies such as unscheduled maintenance and other unexpected costs. For instance, by integrating renewable energy sources into the transition project, additional costs could be saved in the long-term as well as boosting the sustainability of the project. 

Smart Planning

Our design and consultancy service is a full end-to-end solution, covering everything from site surveys to civil engineering plans and regulatory assistance. None of these processes are universal and must be applied differently to each fleet, these differences are identified within the transition analysis by our experts. From there worries about space can be alleviated through surveys and detailed 3D modelling, helping to identify potential issues before any work is carried out, while illuminating potential solutions. 

Energy concerns are also considered, our consultants can help to create customised infrastructure to meet the power needs of the fleet for a cost-sensible solution. The planning can also help to predict the energy requirements of the vehicles and chargers, helping to plan budgets and additional infrastructure needs. 

Overall, through expert assistance and careful planning many of the main pain points that concern fleet operators can be mitigated or avoided. Mer has a wealth of experience in assisting fleet operators in their journey to fleet electrification, download our Essential Guide to Designing Your EV Fleet Charging Infrastructure to get started on your infrastructure journey.