Amazon considers alternative sites for regional depot
AMAZON is considering three sites for a giant depot in the north of England, after its first choice in Widnes stalled, according to PropertyWeek.com.
The internet retailer’s plan for a 1.2m sq ft depot at Prologis’s Mersey Multimodal Gateway in Widnes hit the buffers in January, after Halebank Parish Council requested a judicial review of the proposal.
A hearing has been set for 28 and 29 May in Manchester, and opponents to the proposals say they will appeal if the decision goes in favour of Prologis, delaying the scheme further.
The retailer is short on time because of its aggressive expansion and has now started lining up alternative sites. Stobart Developments’ nearby Stobart Park, also at the Mersey Multimodal Gateway, has emerged as an alternative, and the developer moved a step closer to expanding the scheme this week, after the council granted consent to remediate 80 acres of land.
The consent will enable Stobart to clear the way for up to 1.3m sq ft of storage and distribution space.
The retailer is also understood to be considering Miller Developments’ Omega scheme in Warrington, which has consent for 1.6m sq ft of logistics space to the north of the M62.
The search has also expanded outside the North West.
Halebank council objected to the statutory public consultation being held during August, when its councillors do not meet, and started judicial review proceedings for “failing to consult adequately”.
