UPS has applied for planning permission for a 400,000 sq ft hub and parcel distribution facility at London Gateway Logistics Park.
The application to Thurrock Council is for Plot 1020, which is shown on the logistics park’s master plan as a 907,290 sq ft (84,290 sq m) site.
The UPS facility would include 325,000 sq ft (30,232 sqm) of warehousing, 38,500 sq ft (3,569 sqm) of offices and 35,500 sq ft (3,295 sqm) for a vehicle servicing and repair facility.
The application has been made on behalf of UPS by AECOM the firm of architects and planning specialists.
A UPS spokesperson said: “UPS makes investments in our operations, our technology and our people to ensure that we can continue to provide unparalleled service to our customers and be in a position to grow the business. However, we cannot make specific, forward-looking statements about facility investments, and as such we cannot provide additional details at this time.”
And a spokesman for London Gateway said: “It is our policy not to discuss business negotiations. Any business negotiations involve a confidentiality agreement that would prohibit comment or speculation.”
UPS has its major UK hub at Tamworth north east of Birmingham. It’s main customer service centre in London is at Regis Road in Kentish Town.
* UPS has signed agreements for up to 46 million gallons of renewable fuels over the next three year – a 15-fold increase over prior contracts.
Neste, Renewable Energy Group and Solazyme will supply renewable diesel to UPS to help facilitate the company’s shift to move more than 12 per cent of its purchased ground fuel from conventional diesel and gasoline fuel to alternative fuels by the end of 2017.
Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president, global engineering and sustainability, said: “Renewable diesel has a huge impact significantly reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent less versus conventional petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel also performs well in cold weather, does not have any blending limitations and can be easily ‘dropped in’ to our fuel supply chain without modifications to our existing diesel trucks and equipment.”
UPS expanded its fleet of vehicles using alternative fuels and advanced technologies by 61 per cent to more than 5,000 vehicles last year, according to its 13th annual Sustainability Report.
