By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

THE HYBRID planning proposals for the 1.04 million ft2 scheme include detailed plans for two buildings of 100,000 ft2 and 150,000 ft2 for a first phase as well as outline plans for the remainder of the development which will be known as Panattoni Park Maidstone.

The 70-acre site at Lenham is a former manufacturing site being brought back into productive use. It is strategically located close to the A20 and M20 motorway, providing strong connections to London, the M25 orbital motorway, and key ports serving the UK and continental Europe.

The application follows an extensive programme of local consultation. More than 150 people attended a public exhibition in Lenham earlier this year, and feedback showed strong support for the proposals: nearly 85% of respondents backed redeveloping the site for employment use, and 98.5% agreed that redeveloping brownfield land was preferable to building on Greenfield.

The development will target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A+ ratings, with buildings designed to support modern logistics, manufacturing, and distribution operations. Alongside the commercial floorspace, the scheme will deliver around 5km of new and improved roads, cycleways and footpaths, together with landscaping and enhanced public access across the site.

Panattoni’s nearby scheme at Aylesford is evidence of the economic potential of industrial and logistics developments. Also a redeveloped Kent brownfield site, Panattoni Park Aylesford is now fully occupied and contributes an estimated £180 million a year to the local economy, supporting thousands of jobs.

Colliers, CBRE, and Vail Williams are the retained agents for Panattoni Park Maidstone.