Developer starts work on 150,000 sq ft spec scheme
Developer db symmetry has announced the start of construction of its 150,000 sq ft unit at Symmetry Park, Blyth, North Nottinghamshire.
Following a competitive tender, Marshalls Construction has been appointed to build the new facility. The contractor will undertake infrastructure works including the installation of full site services and a roundabout to the entrance of the site. The announcement comes after Bassetlaw District Council granted approval for this first phase in March 2017.
Located off Junction 34 A1(M), Symmetry Park is a £60m industrial and distribution scheme being developed by db symmetry on a 54-acre site.
This scheme is one of four speculative developments totalling 800,000 sq ft which db symmetry has committed to across the UK in 2018 including Swindon, Middlewich and Bicester.
Freddie Oakey, development surveyor at db symmetry, said: “This is a defining moment in the creation of Symmetry Park, Doncaster and we would like to thank the Council for their support to date. With Marshalls starting on site today we have a completion date set for June next year.”
Mike Haigh, partner at Dove Haigh Phillips, joint agents for the scheme with Colliers International and Savills, added: “With excellent road connectivity, Symmetry Park is already proving to be an attractive proposition for businesses needing to reach Yorkshire, North East, the East Midlands and the UK’s East Coast ports. There is a severe shortage of high quality logistics facilities available in the area and we believe Symmetry Park is well placed to meet the demand.”
Cllr Simon Greaves, leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see work begin on site and this comes as extremely encouraging news for North Nottinghamshire as a whole. db symmetry’s commitment to the scheme will continue to generate further inward investment for the local area and create jobs for local people. This level of investment further highlights that North Nottinghamshire is open for business and we have plenty to offer potential developers and businesses looking to make Bassetlaw their home.”
Funding for improvements to the roundabout at the site entrance is part of a £1.5m wider programme, the ‘Harworth Access Road’ scheme; with planned improvements to four junctions in the area to reduce congestion and ‘unlock’ growth potential. The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – the private sector-led partnership which promotes economic and jobs growth across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire – is providing £1.1m of that funding, via its Local Growth Fund allocation.
Sheffield City Region (SCR) provided the remaining £450,000 for the infrastructure works needed to get the development underway, and Martin McKervey of its business board, the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The way to get things done is through the Sheffield City Region. In a decade, we have built innumerable business partnerships, smoothed alliances between the public and private sectors, and created highly-efficient regulatory systems – we make it really easy to do business here.”
The project team for the structure includes planners Lichfields; architect Kilmartin Plowman & Partners; Engineers Shepherd Gilmour; Infrastructure Couch Perry & Wilkes; project manager & QS Goodrich Consulting and environmental consultancy Penny Anderson Associates.
