EXCLUSIVE: XPO set for build-to-suit warehouse at DIRFT III

By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

THE COMPANY is identified as the specific occupier in a full planning application put forward to West Northamptonshire Council by investor developer Prologis on a 19.52 acre plot on Zone A at its 7 million ft2 plus DIRFT scheme.

The application seeks full planning permission for around 273,820 ft2 facility designed to deliver XPO’s requirements for operational efficiency and accommodate its bespoke automation solution, as XPO seeks a local expansion to meet demand from their customer base.

XPO has specifically selected the site at DIRFT due to its proximity to its existing UK and Ireland headquarters and national distribution hub at Crick. The development will complement this existing facility and support operational synergies between the two locations.

The building will seek to secure BREEAM Outstanding and an EPC A+ rating. It will consist of 257,494 ft2 of warehouse space with 48 dock (12 high shelter and 36 standard shelter) and two level access doors located on the northern and western elevations of the warehouse building with two storey 6,351 ft2 hub office on the northern elevation served by a 49.5m yard with parking for 59 trailers. There is a separate HGV entrance with gatehouse.

In addition there an integrated  two storey main office on eh western elevation totalling 9,713 ft2 and car parking for 212 vehicles. An amenity space is proposed to the west of the warehouse building which will direct visitors and employees toward the main entrance. A second amenity space to the north-eastern corner of the Site comprises a pétanque court and seating area.

A strong green edge to the proposed development will be created through a mix of native species hedgerows, ornamental planting areas, mown grass verges, and large standard trees.

The 22.5m eaves height to haunch, which is required to accommodate XPO’s bespoke automation solution, will exceed the maximum height parameter as specified in the original Development Consent Order, made out in 2014, by 2.7m. All other aspects of the proposed development are within the established DCO parameters for Zone A.

According to the Planning statement by Prologis the development represents a major capital investment of around £57 million into West Northamptonshire and the economic benefits arising are substantial – during construction, some 550 direct and indirect fulltime equivalent jobs would be supported annually and once the development is fully operational, a total of 250 FTE workers would be employed directly on Site.

A further 75 workers across the wider supply chain locally (and up to 110 across the wider East Midlands region) would also be supported. The proposed development would also generate a gross business rate revenue of around £936,000 per year, of which half would be retained by West Northamptonshire Council.