EXCLUSIVE: Amazon rumoured to be mystery occupier kicking off mega East Midlands logistics scheme
Amazon is widely rumoured to be the ‘unnamed’ occupier behind newly approved detailed plans for a bespoke circa. 2.399 million ft2 capacity multi-level state of the art warehouse set to be built at Caddick Developments’ 4.5 million ft2 EM.EX Worksop scheme in the East Midlands.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
DEVELOPER CADDICK secured planning approval from Bassetlaw Council for its hybrid application on a 300-acre plot off the Apleyhead Junction on the A1 motorway/A57 trunk road at the eastern gateway to Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands last week.
The detailed proposals for Plot 1 envision a bespoke state-of-the-art storage and distribution facility for an as yet unnamed occupier with a 616,362 ft2 footprint with three further mezzanine levels of 563,372 ft2 each along with a 92,300 ft2 half mezzanine for equipment maintenance. In addition the internal fit out of the building will involve an extensive installation of automated storage and handling equipment across all floors.
These considerations are very typical of the new generation Amazon warehouses being brought forward in Northampton and Melton.
According to planning documents the Plot 1 building represents a significant multi-million pound investment in the site by both Caddick and the proposed occupier and represents ‘a notable statement of intent to deliver a very high quality development which responds to the very latest occupier requirements’. The Plot 1 building will be a state of the art and market leading facility which could deliver approximately 2,000 jobs once the building matures.
Caddick said that the hybrid application allows for the immediate progression of Plot 1 for a ‘specific occupier’, while also establishing a framework for future phases. This approach not only accelerates site delivery but also unlocks substantial economic benefits, infrastructure improvements, and job creation, all while maintaining a cohesive long-term vision.
The Outline planning application for the remainder of the site seeks approval for phased development for storage and distribution uses alongside ancillary offices and buildings with an indicative master planning proposing a further eight units ranging from 100,965 ft2 to 1,182,048 ft2 footprint.
The whole scheme totals some 4.5 million ft2 and will be known as EM.EX Worksop. The ambitious scheme could provide up to 4,000 jobs in total and contribute £175 million in GVA and £11.5m in business rates annually, once fully operational
Phase 1 will see Caddick complete enabling infrastructure for the scheme and a fully serviced and ready development plot for the bespoke Amazon-like facility already described.
Chris Procter, director at Caddick, said: “Following many years of close collaboration with the local authority, it’s fantastic news that we now have a detailed consent for EM.EX Worksop, accompanied by a market-facing outline.
“This decision gives us the opportunity to start looking ahead to future phases of development and to realise the long-term vision for EM.EX Worksop. Through our ongoing investment in the area, we’re unlocking significant employment opportunities through the creation of a next-generation logistics hub.
Construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2026.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “The news of up to 4,000 extra jobs coming to Worksop is a welcome step forward for our region.
“Distribution hubs are a key driver of the East Midlands economy and this scheme will further strengthen our position as a leading logistics corridor.”
While Amazon has not specifically said it will be taking this particular building, it was quoted in a report by Logistics Matters earlier this year that it was investing some £40 billion in the Uk and that this investment included four new giant state-of-the-art distribution centres each providing 2,000 jobs as well as a series of new delivery stations nationwide. Two of the new DCs in Melton, Hull and SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton have already been announced and will open in 2026 and 2027 respectively. It said that it was proposing ‘another state of the art warehouse in the East Midlands, with a further one in a location yet to be revealed’.
No one involved in the EM.EX scheme was able to comment on the rumours.
Joint letting agents for the EM.EX development are CBRE and BNP Paribas Real Estate.
