Category: Uncategorized

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has exchanged contracts to acquire a prime 30-acre brownfield site at Hardwick Grange, Warrington, representing the largest strategic logistics land purchase in the North West this year.

The site, formerly occupied by Safeway and later Iceland, has been acquired from UK real estate investor and developer, Firethorn, and English Real Estates Ltd.

Located adjacent to Junction 21 of the M6, the property benefits from immediate motorway connectivity, in one of the region’s most established industrial locations.

Panattoni intends to bring forward proposals for a new sustainable logistics park on a speculative basis, replacing the obsolete existing buildings with high-quality, energy-efficient space designed to meet the growing demand for modern accommodation across the North West region.

Dan Burn, Head of Development for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: “We are delighted to have acquired this major strategic site in Warrington. The obsolete buildings are at the end of their economic life, and our intention is to bring forward a high-quality, sustainable redevelopment that reflects both the site’s potential and its importance to the local economy. We look forward to working collaboratively with Warrington Borough Council and our planning consultants, Lichfields, to refine our proposals ahead of submitting a planning application early next year.”

The redevelopment will target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings, reflecting Panattoni’s commitment to sustainability and Net Zero Carbon standards in construction. The scheme will also aim to deliver significant local economic benefits through job creation, enhanced landscaping, and improved accessibility.

Brownfield regeneration continues to represent a substantial proportion of Panattoni’s UK investment activity, accounting for 2m sq ft of the company’s project acquisitions this year. The Warrington development reinforces Panattoni’s focus on repurposing redundant industrial land in established urban markets, driving sustainable growth while supporting regional employment.

DTRE advised Panattoni on the transaction, with CMS providing legal counsel.

For more information, please visit: www.panattoni.co.uk/warrington

Panattoni, Europe’s largest logistics real estate developer, has acquired a prime site in Haydock from Bericote Properties for the development of Haydock 66, a 65,890 sq ft speculative industrial and manufacturing unit, strategically located fronting the A580 East Lancashire Road and less than 1.5 miles from Junction 23 of the M6. Construction will start on site over the summer, with practical completion in Q1 2026.

This new addition to the Panattoni UK portfolio forms part of its long-term strategy to strengthen its presence in key logistics corridors and deliver high-specification, future-proof industrial space across the country. With excellent access to Liverpool2 Deep-Water Port just 16 miles away and immediate connectivity to the A580 via a new signalised all-ways junction, the site offers outstanding local, regional and port-linked logistics reach.

Positioned at the front of to the established Haydock Industrial Estate, Haydock 66 benefits from a strong regional labour pool and immediate access to the M6, M62, and A580 corridors, making it a prime location for both national and last-mile logistics, across the Merseyside and Greater Manchester conurbations.

The speculative facility will be delivered to the highest sustainability standards, targeting both BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A certifications. The building offers 11-metre clear internal height, two level access loading doors, and six dock loading doors, including two Euro dock bays, allowing for operational flexibility. A generous 56-metre yard depth provides extensive maneuvering and loading capacity.

Haydock 66 also includes a significant level of infrastructure to support modern occupiers. The site provides 65 car parking spaces, including 14 EV charging points, four designated car share bays, and four accessible bays. There are also 11 dedicated HGV parking spaces, 36 cycle storage spaces, and four motorcycle bays. The facility is equipped with a sprinkler tank area and benefits from rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to support energy efficiency. Inside, the office accommodation will be fully fitted, and features raised access floors on the upper level to suit a range of the occupier’s needs.

Dan Burn, Head of Development, North West & Yorkshire at Panattoni comments:

“This project also reflects Panattoni’s commitment to speculative development across all tenant types, including active growth for SMEs looking to expand in the mid-box market – an increasingly vital segment in the UK’s logistics landscape. The acquisition of Haydock site enhances our strategic position in the Northwest, a region with resilient occupier demand and supply constraints for modern, sustainable industrial stock. This development opportunity provides near-term availability, top-tier sustainability credentials, and exceptional infrastructure connections, which makes it highly attractive to a wide range of potential occupiers. We are excited to bring this unit to market and continue building momentum in one of the UK’s most critical logistics regions.”

CBRE advised on the transaction and have been retained as marketing agents with Box 4 Real Estate.

For more information on this scheme, please visit: www.panattoni.co.uk/haydock

Panattoni, Europe’s largest developer of industrial and logistics real estate, has commenced construction of a 915,000 sq ft speculative logistics facility at Panattoni Park Swindon—setting a new benchmark as the largest project of its kind ever undertaken in the UK.

The milestone follows the letting of Panattoni’s previous record-breaking development, an 885,000 sq ft unit at Avonmouth, underscoring the strength of demand in the large-scale logistics market and reaffirming the company’s confidence in its speculative development strategy.

Situated on the 360-acre site of the former Honda manufacturing plant, Panattoni Park Swindon is set to become a transformative logistics and industrial hub, delivering 7.2 million sq ft of state-of-the-art space. The first phase of development includes the newly launched 915,000 sq ft unit alongside a second 545,000 sq ft facility, which is already under construction. This phase represents a £300 million investment thus far, backed by U.S. capital – a major vote of confidence in the UK logistics market. Total project costs once complete will be c. £900 million and it will add over £1.2 billion to the economy over the next ten years, creating up to 7,000 jobs on site.

The site also includes a readily available plot for the largest single-unit with detailed planning permission in the UK at 1.2 million sqft, which is available on a pre-let basis and can be delivered within 10 months.

James Watson, Head of Development – Southern England & London at Panattoni UK, said:

“Having recently leased Panattoni Park Avonmouth, the largest speculative warehouse to have ever been built in the country, I’m pleased to announce today we are now commencing construction of an even larger speculative warehouse in Swindon.  Panattoni Park Swindon embodies our model: scale, location, power, and quality—delivered ahead of demand. Panattoni Park Swindon is one of our largest developments globally and will be exemplary in its class.”

Vertical construction of the 915,000 sq ft unit is set to begin in June. The facility is designed to meet the requirements of high-volume logistics and manufacturing occupiers, featuring 21-metre clear internal height, a cross-docked service yard which extends over 90 metres, and market-leading ESG credentials. It will be BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rated and achieve an EPC ‘A’ rating.

Strategically positioned just eight minutes from Junction 15 of the M4, the park enables access to 70% of the UK population within 4.5 hours, offering unparalleled connectivity for logistics operations.

Panattoni Park Swindon also places sustainability at the heart of its design. All buildings aim for Net Zero Carbon in construction, supported by on-site renewable energy generation via rooftop solar PV, EV charging infrastructure, high-efficiency lighting and cladding systems, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and smart water management.

The wider masterplan includes significant biodiversity and community benefits, including a 10% biodiversity net gain, a new public park, wildflower meadows, tree planting, green corridors, and dedicated pedestrian and cycle routes.

With the vertical build of the UK’s largest speculative logistics unit commencing this summer, Panattoni continues to lead the sector—delivering sustainable, large-scale developments that respond directly to market demand.

Savills and DTRE are appointed as leasing agents at Panattoni Park Swindon (Savills having only been appointed as joint sole agents in April 2025).

Before Honda’s acquisition in 1985, the site played a critical role in British aviation. Built by the government in 1940, it served as a shadow factory producing Miles Master trainers, Spitfires, Seafires, and later the Supermarine Swift. In 1953, a South Marston-built Swift broke the UK airspeed record at 736 mph.

From 1985 to 2021, Honda produced over three million vehicles at the site, supporting up to 3,500 jobs and supplying markets across Europe and North America. Its closure marked the end of an era – but with the launch of Panattoni Park Swindon, the site enters a new chapter in advanced logistics and industrial employment.

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial real estate developer, announces the successful letting of an 885,000 sq ft logistics facility at Panattoni Park Avonmouth to GXO Logistics, the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, and an existing global client of Panattoni’s.

The transaction represents the UK’s largest logistics letting of 2025 to date and establishes a new benchmark for the speculative development market. The Grade-A facility, delivered on a speculative basis, forms part of the first phase of Panattoni Park Avonmouth – a major logistics and distribution campus strategically located with direct access to the M4 and M5 motorway corridors, and in close proximity to the Port of Bristol.

The facility, which is now fully committed to GXO, will serve as a cornerstone asset within the occupier’s UK network and reinforces Avonmouth’s status as a premier national logistics hub.

The building has achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings and was delivered to Net Zero Carbon standards in construction. These sustainability credentials, coupled with scale, infrastructure and multimodal accessibility, reflect Panattoni’s ongoing commitment to best-in-class development and long-term market resilience.

James Watson, Head of Development – Southern England & London at Panattoni UK, commented:

“It is great for Panattoni to deliver another letting to GXO. This milestone letting to GXO underscores both the scale of Panattoni’s ambition and the depth of occupier demand for prime, sustainable logistics space in core UK markets. Avonmouth continues to emerge as a critical location for national distribution, and we are pleased to have delivered a building of this scale and quality on a speculative basis, in alignment with the needs of global operators.”

Gavin Williams, Managing Director, UK & Ireland at GXO Logistics, added:

“We’re delighted to announce that we’ve leased our new Avonmouth facility, the biggest logistics distribution centre in the Southwest,” said Gavin Williams, Managing Director of GXO UK & Ireland. “Our vast expertise working with multinational retailers has meant that we can fit out and manage a site of this scale. We’re excited to get the operation up and running, and proud to be creating so many new jobs across the southwest of England and south Wales.”

Panattoni was advised by Colliers, DTRE, JLL and Savills. GXO were advised by JLL Tenant Representative Team.

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has announced the practical completion of phase 1 of Panattoni Park Sittingbourne, consisting of two speculative units, and the granting of planning permission for phase 2 for DPD, allowing construction to commence in April. Local MP Kevin McKenna opened the new facility last week with key representatives from Panattoni as this is a milestone investment in Swale. Panattoni Park Sittingbourne is located just off J5 of the M2, strategically positioned in a prime location midway between London and Dover through the M20 and M25, as well as other vital markets including Europe via London Thamesport, and the Port of Tilbury. This ensures easy access to major trunk routes, railways, and ports for tenants. Phase 1 contains a 439,228 sq ft and a 205,320 sq ft unit, both of which benefit from enhanced ESG features, including the ability to harvest rainwater and water leak detection; 15% roof lights; EV charging; high standards of insulation and water saving to reduce energy consumption; and a roof-mounted solar PV system included within the base build, providing cost savings of £0.50 per sq ft. The units have been certified BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’, with net zero development, and are now ready to let. Phase 2, which has been pre-let to delivery firm DPD, will encompass a 58,000 sq ft facility, and is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the region, drawing on the success of Panattoni Park Aylesford, which achieved full-site completion with planning approval for its final plot, introduced the UK’s first electric HGV charging station and has generated nearly 4,000 jobs and £180 million in annual economic value, further strengthening the South-East’s logistics landscape. Alex Mitchell, Development Manager: South East & London at Panattoni said: “Phase 1 of Panattoni Park Sittingbourne will deliver two high-quality, ESG-pioneering speculative sheds to the market, and represents a significant step in our commitment to sustainability and strategic growth in the Southeast. We are pleased to have completed phase 1 of the development and have the units ready for tenant fit-out. “With excellent transport links, a strong local workforce, and competitive wages, these units are ideally placed to support the operational needs of modern occupiers. Phase 2 will allow us to continue this momentum, with DPD’s presence highlighting the appeal and importance of the site as a logistics hub.” For more information about the two units available please visit www.panattoni.co.uk/sittingbourne