Panattoni and joint development partner Langtree are pushing plans for a 3 million sq ft plus logistics development on land known as Six:56 Warrington, which is located near Junction 20 of the M6 motorway.
The 242 acre site is considered controversial as it is located on greenbelt land close to the Eddie Stobart site which was rejected by the Secretary of State for Housing earlier this year.
The developers have put forward updated environmental assessment documentation in order to secure an early decision on the planning for the site.
In its submission document the developer said: “The logistics sector is a key growth area for the region and will be an important catalyst for further growth in the region. The Northern Powerhouse Strategy (2010) recognises the logistics sector is a key enabler of growth and predicts the logistics sector will grow by 83% between 2013 and 2035. By expanding the logistics sector in Warrington, which has strong history of successful logistics investments due to its proximity to the motorway network, the Six 56 Development Proposals will make an important contribution in achieving the Governments Northern Powerhouse ambitions.”
National agents JLL report that long term demand in terms of regional take up show the strength of the North West logistics and industrial sectors. The market has an average Grade A 10 year take up of 2.3 million sq. ft per annum. Demand in the region remains strong with over 1.4 million square feet of speculative build/build to suit units contracted in the first 7 months of 2020 in the North West.
“On a regional basis there are eight speculative build units available with a total area of 1.259 million square feet. There are four units available under construction totalling 0.75 million square feet one of these units is currently under offer. There are two Grade A buildings available of totalling 0.557m square feet.
“In terms of supply based on the five-year average take up of 2.1 million sq ft there is 14 months’ supply and on the ten- year average take up of 2.3 million sq ft there is 13 months’ supply.
“In summary, the North West industrial and distribution market has had a consistent take up of speculative, Grade A units and build to suit sites despite the various economic and political issues of the last three years. The demand is driven by the expansion of new emerging sectors, the consolidation/ expansion of established businesses and the impact on supply chains of the COVID 19 pandemic.
“There are no sites immediately available along the M6 corridor between junctions 20 to 23 where the majority of distribution requirements are focused. Warrington Borough has no further land available to develop industrial/logistics buildings of scale at motorway locations.”
