Peel Logistics in debut deal

PEEL Group has bought the former Sonae site in Knowsley – the first deal by its new Peel Logistics subsidiary.

According to its website, it plans to build a 700,000 sq ft shed called Knowsley 700 at the 45-acre site at Knowsley Industrial Park.

It is close to Knowsley railfreight terminal and junctions 4 and 5 of the M57 motorway. Plans have yet to be submitted to the local authority.

Peel development director James Whittaker said: “The Knowsley 700 site benefits from a great communications network in close proximity, making this an ideal location for many logistics/distribution companies looking for a base in the North West. We will now begin actively marketing the new site under the Peel Logistics umbrella.

“This is another prime example of Peel’s investment commitments in the Atlantic Gateway partnership and we hope to be able to deliver further job opportunities in the near future in the region.”

Newspaper reports suggest Peel paid around £7m for the site which chipboard maker Sonae closed in 2012 with the loss of 220 jobs.

Management blamed the decision to close on planning delays for a proposed new building following a fire in 2011. But Local MP George Howarth had called for the plant’s closure following the fire and the death of two workers in an industrial accident. A third man died during demolition work at the site.

Peel Logistics was unveiled at the MIPIM property convention in March. Peel is pooling its industrial sites with those owned by Peel Ports and Harworth Estates to create Peel Logistics.

The division will have the biggest logistics development land bank in the UK with 5,674 acres and a potential developed value of £4bn. The land could accommodate 60m sq ft of warehousing and distribution space.

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