DEVELOPMENT SET TO COMMENCE ON £80M LEICESTERSHIRE HQ FOR PALL-EX FURTHER TO ACQUISITION AND PLANNING SUPPORT FROM HARRIS LAMB
Logistics network provider Pall-Ex recently obtained planning for the development of a £80m bespoke freight distribution hub in Leicestershire.
Harris Lamb undertook the land search on behalf of Pall-Ex identifying the subject site and undertaking the planning negotiations which recently resulted in planning being granted.
Further to identifying the 36.5-acre site in Coalville, located just half a kilometre from Pall-Ex’s existing site, the Harris Lamb went on to secure planning permission from the local authority working with Barberry as development partner to deliver the scheme.
A lease agreement for the £80m scheme was agreed in May, in what was the largest build-to-suit prelet deal in the UK this year, and once complete, it will be the first purpose-built facility in the pallet network sector in the UK to be energy self-sufficient.
External CGI Courtesy of BHB Architects
Andy Lamb, Director, said: “This is the culmination of many years of working closely with Pall-Ex to find a suitable site for its new UK and European headquarters. Retaining the existing workforce was of paramount importance to CEO Kevin Buchanan.
“The crucial factor of the site, apart from its potential to house a bespoke building to meet all of Pall-Ex’s requirements, was its key location just half a kilometre away from its existing facility. It was essential to the business that the new HQ be as close as possible to its current operation to ensure it retained its workforce.
“Further to undertaking negotiations to secure the site subject to planning, we then agreed the deal with the support of Mick Conway, who acted for the farming family to agree terms, prior to us introducing Barberry as the development partner for the project,” he said.
CGI of the Pall-Ex reception Courtesy of BHB Architects
Sam Silcocks, of Harris Lamb’s Planning Consultancy, has now secured permission from Hinckley and Bosworth District Council for the £80m scheme, which will comprise 408,000 sq ft of accommodation and an additional 100,000 sq ft of canopy space.
The scheme aims to achieve an EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent ratings, incorporating solar panels and EV charging stations for added sustainability. Plans include the creation of a recreation zone with football pitch, basketball court and a club house.
Paul Wells of Harris Lamb’s Building Consultancy team oversaw the development of the site design concept through to the pre-app planning stage, and has been instructed to oversee the project and ensure it meets all operational requirements with an anticipated completion date of the end of 2026.
Aerial CGI Courtesy of BHB Architects
Andy added: “It is incredibly rewarding to see so many years effort pay off in bringing forward a project of this scale, and we are thrilled to have reached the point where work can commence. We are looking forward to watching the progress of the development as it unfolds.”
Jonathan Robinson, Barberry development director, said: “Working closely with Pall-Ex, we will create a new national palletised freight distribution centre that will deliver ESG credentials.
“This is another significant investment by Barberry which demonstrates our strong financial position and continued commitment to the industrial and logistics sector in key strategic locations.”
Kevin Buchanan, Pall-Ex Group chief executive, added: “This investment signals a massive opportunity for our stakeholders. We are once again shaping the future of palletised freight distribution through innovation, people, technology and sustainability.”