Timber importer and distributor Lathams to develop bespoke National Distribution Centre in Fenlands
Developer Tungsten Properties is to develop a circa.300,000 ft2 state-of-the-art National Distribution Centre for timber importer and distributor Lathams in Chatteris in the Fenlands District of East Anglia.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
Tungsten Properties secured a 17-acre site with planning permission for Lathams in Chatteris from Fenton Way Developments following the approval of planning permission by Fenland District Council at the beginning of July this year.
Tungsten was approached by Lathams to find the company a new NDC facility in East Anglia last summer, following an extensive search of land opportunities in Yorkshire, Midlands, and the east of England.
Lathams Ltd is headquartered in Hemel Hempstead and operates 13 facilities around the UK and Ireland which employ more than 600 people. It required an East Anglian-based facility to serve its timber imports into the UK ports as it continues to respond to the high trade demand for quality timber products.
The new 300,825 ft2 facility, which will target BREEAM Excellent and EPC A rating and will include 295,500 ft2 of warehouse space with 15m eaves height, with 12 ramped docks and 12 level access doors served by a secure self-contained yard and 5,325 ft2 of first floor offices fully fitted offices.
Tungsten Properties has been appointed as development manager to deliver the new facility. Glencar Construction has been appointed with the project forecast to create approximately 100 construction jobs and circa 30 jobs in operation.
Latham’s director Piers Latham, said: “This is the biggest investment in Latham’s 268-year history. It will facilitate growth, supplying all our 13 depots nationally while creating jobs in the East Anglia region. Ian and his team at Tungsten were challenged with finding us a suitable site to develop and came back with an excellent solution.”
Glencar Construction will start on site in September 2025 with completion targeted for summer 2026 to create a new facility of £38.5m.
Chatteris is in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire, situated between Huntingdon, March and Ely. The site is located off Fenton Way with easy access to A141 and A142.
Tungsten Properties bought the site from Burgess Farms in a deal worth circa. £3 million.
Wedlake Bell acted on behalf of Lathams. Dan Harness of Coke Gearing acted on behalf of the Tungsten. Eddisons advised Burgess Farms.
The professional team consists of HTC Architects, Goodrich Consulting, PRP Consulting Engineers, The Engineering Practice, Eddison Planning acted on behalf of Tungsten Properties.
