The latest milestone in Coventry’s rapid industrial development has been achieved with the completion of Project Holst, a £75 million industrial warehouse scheme located at Prospero Ansty Park.
This major business hub, situated next to the M6 and M69 junctions, has attracted tenants including Rolls-Royce, Sainsbury’s and Cadent.
Spearheaded by McLaren Construction Midlands and North and commissioned by property developers Manse Opus, the project kicked off in January of last year. Now, four industrial units and associated office spaces spanning a total of 856,109ft2 are ready for prospective tenants.
The industrial units, characterised by their modern cladded portal frame and CAT A open plan layout, reportedly boast a host of features aimed at enhancing functionality and sustainability. Among these are an expansive external logistics yard with level and dock access areas, dedicated parking equipped with electric charging points, communal areas and landscaped gardens. The office spaces offer flexible, open plan designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of future tenants, reflecting the high-tech business culture prevalent in the park.
In line with contemporary environmental standards, the units have been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. They incorporate rooftop photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting systems.
The development process was not without its challenges. A complex earthworks operation was required to prepare the site, which included extensive infrastructure work to manage stormwater through balancing ponds. All excavated earth was repurposed on-site, minimising waste and promoting a circular construction approach. Additionally, ecological considerations were paramount; great crested newts were safely relocated before construction began, and new ecological areas were established.
In a gesture of community support, McLaren Construction also undertook voluntary work at the local Grace Academy, creating a sensory open space for students.
Shaun Colley, operations director at McLaren Construction Midlands and North, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s completion: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Manse Opus again for this next phase of Prospero Ansty Park’s expansion.”
Colley continued: “We have managed to overcome many challenges with this site – battling extreme weather. However, our skilled team of contractors managed to stick to the critical timelines of the programme and delivered an exceptional product.
“Our focus for the scheme has been on providing energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality, which ensures energy consumption efficiencies whilst promoting a healthier and inviting workspace. The central high-specification commercial office space is ideally positioned to cater to clients in the industrial and logistics sector, bringing our client’s vision to life.”
David Mitchell and Victoria Turnbull, joint managing directors of Manse Opus, echoed this sentiment: “The transformation of this unused land to create the stunning buildings you see there today has been a great privilege and one we are really proud to have been able to achieve. We have contributed to safeguarding the legacy of a site which has such an impressive history.”
